AFOEM ebulletin - 18 November 2022
I am delighted to advise that the RACP appeal to trademark the phrase ‘Health Benefits of Good Work®’ in Australia was submitted to IP Australia on 11 October 2022 and accepted on 18 October 2022. If no opposition is lodged before 18 December 2022, the Health Benefits of Good Work® will be a registered trademark of the College. The initial application was previously accepted in Aotearoa New Zealand. This successful appeal is a reflection on the extensive research and information collating efforts of the RACP staff. Use of the phrase is encouraged but from now on will need to include the ® symbol.
Dr David Beaumont, a past president of AFOEM has published a book, ‘Positive Medicine: Disrupting the Future of Medical Practice’. This was announced a winner in the British Medical Association book awards. The book is a refreshing insight into modern medical thinking. There are numerous engaging and thought-provoking anecdotes, many of which relate to David’s experience within AFOEM. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and it should be inspirational to our members. David can be contacted via the ROC if you want to obtain a copy.
It is with sadness that we report the passing of Dr Rob Gillett on 14 October. Rob was well known to many of our members as an active member of AFOEM and the WA committee, and a very worthy previous recipient of the John Sands Medal. He only retired a year ago, and we pass on our condolences to Nell and the family. His obituary is in the ROC library.
Our committees are being kept busy as the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has just released the draft legislation to support the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, and early user trials are about to commence. A consultation paper on The Role and Functions of an Australian Centre for Disease Control has also just been released. In the RACP response, AFOEM will need to advocate strongly to embed the requirement for occupational diseases to be included. AFOEM is also contributing to a response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, as there are important but overlooked systemic issues that are likely to reduce risks.
At the AFOEM Council on 15 November, applications were reviewed for two Faculty Policy and Advocacy Committee approved working groups on ‘Improving the Health of Healthcare Workers’. These will develop two position papers on the role of occupational and environmental medicine physicians in the healthcare sector, and the improvement of Work Health Safety in the healthcare sector.
Also Professor Niki Ellis was invited to present on the progress of the History of Occupational Medicine Project and provided options for how we can celebrate the 40th anniversary of the inauguration of the Australian College of Occupational Medicine (ACOM) in 2024.
Dr Warren Harrex
AFOEM President
Dr Rob Gillett
MBBS, FRACGP, Grad Dip Bus Admin, FRACMA, Grad Dip OHS, FAFOEM, CIME, MIS
09.12.1949 – 14.10.2022
On behalf of the Faculty, we send our deepest sympathy to Rob’s wife, Sue and his daughters Melissa, Emily, Nell and their families. Vale Rob.
Please log in to the ROC AFOEM community to read his obituary.
Nominate a colleague to recognise their outstanding contributions to the Faculty in one of the following areas:
- Education, training and assessment
- Policy and advocacy
- Trainee commitment
Nominations close Wednesday, 30 November 2022. Visit the website for more details.
The RACP President's Indigenous Congress Prize is open to medical students, junior medical officers and RACP trainees who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori. Applications close Wednesday, 30 November 2022. See the website for further details.
The Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine is proud to offer the 2023 Indigenous Australian and Māori Health Scholarship for Occupational and Environmental Medicine as part of the RACP Indigenous Health Scholarship Program. Applications close Wednesday, 30 November 2022.
The 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work will be held in Sydney and has officially launched the first program announcement. The Congress begins on Thursday, 23 November 2023. Visit the website for more information.
ANZSOM is pleased to announce that its 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting will be held in Canberra from Sunday, 22 to Wednesday, 25 October 2023. Please save the date.
The 2023 CPD year is now open. You can familiarise yourself with the upcoming changes to MyCPD taking place from 1 January 2023 onwards, and start planning your learning for the year ahead. You can also review the following resources:
My Work Profile captures the professional activities of physicians across a range of roles and geographical sites. By completing your My Work Profile you help us support advocacy activities on behalf of our members and inform future workforce planning.
We listened to your feedback about completing your My Work Profile, so this year we have simplified the questionnaire, so it should only take five minutes to complete. In recognition of your time, if you complete your profile between November and February, you will go into a draw to win a $300 Prezzee gift card. We have three gift cards to give away, with one winner chosen at random at the end of each month.
Complete your profile or find out more.
Mentor Match is an innovative program to help you connect with other members, based on your mentoring preferences and professional goals. Mentors provide guidance and support to mentees, while mentees are given the opportunity to develop personally and professionally and receive constructive feedback to improve performance and outcomes. Find your perfect match.
Ep2: Managing cannabinoid use in palliative care
Patients in palliative care settings may be more inclined than most to try alternative therapies. However, they are also more vulnerable to side effects. In this podcast, Professor Jennifer Martin and Dr Joanne Patel, authors of Complementary and alternative therapies in the palliative setting, describe how cannabinoid products have become more readily accessible to patients in recent years. However, given the wide variety of products available, the drug effects are not always as a patient or doctor might expect.
Subscribe to email alerts or search for ‘Pomegranate Health’ in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, or any podcasting app. Fellows of the RACP can claim CPD credits for listening via MyCPD. For a transcript and further references please visit our website.
The Evolve program is a physician-led initiative that reflects the RACP’s commitment to high-quality, safe, and effective healthcare.
The Evolve Strategy for 2022-26 was recently refreshed, informed by literature and feedback from a cross-College consultation. The Evolve Strategy Implementation Plan 2022-26 is undergoing a second round of consultation across the College. Please send your feedback to evolve@racp.edu.au by 30 November 2022.
If you live in Victoria, you can support advocacy for the Kids COVID Catch Up and Healthy Climate Future campaigns by visiting the following links.
Not in Victoria? You can still get involved by signing up to the Kids COVID Catch Up campaign and the Healthy Climate Future campaign to keep up-do-date on future advocacy plans.
The RACP Membership Diversity Advisory Group (MDAG) has developed a short survey to increase its understanding of member identities. Member experience will assist us to progress the work needed for a more inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and respected. Complete the survey.
The Specialist Training Program (STP) will be open for expressions of interest (EOIs) for project funding support until Monday, 21 November 2022. The program provides funding to training sites to deliver support projects that aim to provide successful and sustainable training in expanded healthcare settings. Read more and apply.
Expressions of interest are open to Fellows to fill two vacant positions within the STP Advisory Group. The Group advises the College on developing policies, guidelines, and processes for STP obligations and assessments. Read more and apply.
Medibank has released an update on the cybercrime attack which includes information relating to Medibank customers, providers, and partners which may have been accessed. Medibank is contacting all affected customers and providers.
Medibank is working with Service Australia to ensure appropriate preventative and monitoring measures are in place. The Australian Federal Police are working on an operation to protect customers and providers who have had their personal information unlawfully released.
Further information is available in Medibank’s cybercrime media update.
Medical Costs Finder is an Australian Government initiative to improve transparency of out-of-pocket costs of medical specialist services. The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) is working on proposed improvements which will allow individual medical specialists to publish practising locations, indicative fees, and private health insurer arrangements for a selected number of common services.
For further information on the initiative, see this newsletter or visit DoHAC’s frequently asked questions.
During November, your member benefits platform has deals and savings like never before. Enjoy great travel deals, retail savings, and new hot deals every week. To experience your membership rewards like never before, log in to your Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand benefits platform today.
Available online 24/7. That's your Member Advantage.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Check the Expressions of Interest page at any time, to find out if there are any opportunities that are of benefit to you.
AFOEM contact details
AFOEM Faculty enquiries (including Council and committees):
LynFay Shapiro
AFOEM Executive Officer
Email: afoem@racp.edu.au
AFOEM Education and Training enquiries:
Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6268
Email: occenvmed@racp.edu.au
AFOEM Examination enquiries:
Examination Coordinator, Assessment and Selection Unit
Email: examinations@racp.edu.au
AFOEM training site accreditation inquiries:
Site Accreditation Unit
Email: accreditation@racp.edu.au
AFOEM CPD enquiries:
Email: mycpd@racp.edu.au