AFRM eBulletin – 18 November 2022
Firstly, our thoughts go out to all members impacted by the current flood situation in various parts of Australia. I hope you are all safe and well and that the flood crisis will end soon so recovery can begin.
Now some items for trainees and supervisors.
AFRM exam dates for 2023 have been released and can be found on the College website. Those dates can be diarised by trainees intending to sit the exams. The clinical exam dates should also be noted by Fellows, as we will need volunteers to be examiners. If you are not currently an examiner, and are interested in learning to become one, please email the Faculty office.
Many members are aware of the recent College decision to waive the research component of training requirements for Division, Faculty and Chapter trainees who are in their final year of training in 2022. I wanted to clarify for all trainees and supervisors how this waiver is being applied to AFRM trainees. For AFRM trainees, the waiver will apply to those trainees who have otherwise completed all other training requirements by the end of the 2022 clinical year. So, if you are a trainee and by the end of the 2022 clinical year you will have completed your training time requirements, passed all exams and completed all other modules, the College will waive the need for you to complete the research module in order to be eligible for Fellowship.
However, if you are a trainee and have not completed all other training requirements by the end of 2022, you will not be eligible for the research module waiver. It needs to be noted that this waiver only applies to final year trainees in the 2022 clinical year. All eligible trainees should have been contacted by now. If you think you may be eligible and have not been contacted, you should contact the College who can advise on your eligibility.
Even though some trainees will have their research module waived, we would encourage trainees to consider completing research projects, as learning the principles of research will be a good foundation for future research during your career as a AFRM Fellow.
Supervisors are reminded to check their current accreditation status. Many of us will need to complete the SPDP3 component before the end of this year. There are a number of online opportunities to complete the training before the end of the year. You can register on the College website. I know I have my session booked.
Finally, I’d like to congratulate Professor Fary Khan on being elected as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine in the United States. Fary is one of 10 international members elected and the President noted that it is a recognition of “exceptional scholars and leaders who have been at the forefront of responding to serious public health challenges, combating social inequities, and achieving innovative discoveries”. Well deserved and well done Fary!
Dr Jennifer Mann
AFRM President
Rehab in Review is a surveillance journal whose editors scan 70 rehabilitation-related journals for the best, most current literature important to the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Rehab in Review is produced by physicians specialising in physical medicine and rehabilitation, with the cooperation and assistance of Emory University School of Medicine (Georgia, USA), Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. The editors of this publication generously provide this publication to the Faculty and all its members at no cost.
View the Rehab in Review November 2022 edition.
Professor Fary Khan AM has been inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM). She is one of only 10 international members elected, alongside 90 domestic members. Log in to the AFRM online community to find out more.
All Australian rehabilitation medicine physicians who have worked with adult patients with conversion disorder in any setting are encouraged to complete the online survey. For more information contact Dr Bartl, via doris.bartl@monashhealth.org.
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 Rehabilitation Medicine is proud to offer the 2023 Indigenous Australian and Māori Health Scholarship for Rehabilitation Medicine as part of the RACP Indigenous Health Scholarship Program. Details are available on the RACP Foundation website. Applications close Wednesday, 30 November 2022.
We invite you to attend session 3 of the 2022 AFRM Annual Training meeting. This meeting will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 19 November 2022. For more information, please contact afrm@racp.edu.au or events@racp.edu.au.
The NSW Lecture Series & Bi National Training Program lectures will proceed as scheduled. Attendance in person is no longer available but trainees can continue to join via teleconference/videoconference. Register for the lectures. Visit RACP events or the AFRM ROC community for more information.
APC Prosthetics is hosting a registrar teaching session at Ossur Parramatta, from 2pm to 6pm on Wednesday, 15 February 2023. To register, please email smcconnell@prosthetics.com.au and provide your name, hospital, and mobile number. More information is available in AFRM ROC announcements.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians publishes notices of events and courses as a service to members. Such publication does not constitute an endorsement or mandating of any such events or courses.
- Lower Limb Amputee Management Course, Monday, 21 November 2022, online.
- NeuroRehabilitation Sunshine Coast Anatomy and Ultrasound Workshop, Friday, 3 March to Saturday, 4 March 2023, 16 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya, QLD.
- 2023 Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand 6th Annual Scientific Meeting, Sunday, 10 September to Wednesday, 13 September 2023, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
Go to the
events list at any time to see what events are coming up.
Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (RMSANZ)
RMSANZ is the professional body for Rehabilitation Physicians and Trainees in Australia & New Zealand.
AFRM contact details
Member enquiries
Phone: (AUS) 1300 69 7227
Phone: (NZ) 0508 69 7227
Email: memberservices@racp.edu.au
AFRM Faculty enquiries (including Council and Committees)
Email: afrm@racp.edu.au
AFRM Aotearoa NZ Committee
Marion Salter
Executive Officer, DFAC’s AoNZ
Phone: +64 4 460 8142
Email: nz_afrm@racp.org.nz
AFRM education and training enquiries
Jessica Ward
Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6237
Email: rehab@racp.edu.au
AFRM oral examination enquiries
Ella Campbell
Examination Coordinator
Phone: +61 2 9256 9659
Email: faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au
AFRM training site accreditation enquiries
Jessica Ward
Education Officer
Phone: +61 8247 6233
Email: accreditation@racp.edu.au