AMD eBulletin – 29 July 2022
A message from your President
G’day and kia ora
In this post, I would like to introduce you to my good colleague, AMD President-elect, and member of the AMD Council Executive – Professor Brian Wood. Brian brings a breadth of experience to this leadership role with AMD as a clinician, manager, researcher, and educator.
COVID-19 waven+1
I have had the pleasure recently of working clinically in regional Western Australia, and I can appreciate how busy many of our AMD members are in dealing with, and preparing for, a likely further increase in COVID-19 case numbers.
As we deal with our next surge in cases (COVID-19 waven+1) many of you will feel like a tired marathon runner who still cannot see the finish line. While it may be understandable to feel disheartened, it is also timely to reflect on how far we have come since the first COVID-19 case in December 2019.
At the beginning of this pandemic, it appeared that all we had to rely on was fear, misinformation and a lack of evidence, coupled with an enduring desire to schedule (yet another) information or planning meeting. At the time we saw this as a marathon that needed to start with a sprint – and how right we were.
Over the last 30 months, I have seen how our AMD Members (both Fellows and trainees) have learnt how to be better participants in planning; to be nimble and adapt, to work cooperatively within and between our sometimes-siloed craft groups, to deal with uncertainty, and to respond and change direction when need or evidence requires. As Dwight D Eisenhower said, ”In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable”.
In the face of falling restrictions to limit spread and emerging variants, we will need to once more rally to deal with increasing case numbers, greater in and outpatient responsibilities, and complications including long-COVID and deaths. These are the unfortunate expectations that society expects us to meet as a profession. Nonetheless, we now also have high levels of vaccination uptake, treatments across all levels of severity of disease (from asymptomatic to critical), and the clinical experience in identifying and managing our COVID-19 patients. We are also, as individuals and a profession, much better at planning.
Now is therefore the time to do what we need to do for our patients and communities in the face of this further COVID-19 surge. It is also the time to reflect and to use the personal knowledge and skills we have already gained. Despite this knowledge, experience and skill, many of you will be faced with structural limitations that will impede your ability to deliver the care you wish. Staffing limitations (exacerbated by COVID-19-related absences) and the exposure and exacerbation of existing health care capacity constraints (whether in primary or hospital-based care) will all be challenging. How we, as professionals, deal with these issues requires us to reflect on how we, as physicians, see our roles as leaders in health and healthcare.
I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you regarding this in the next AMD President’s message.
Introducing Professor Brian Wood, AMD President-elect
Brian completed his medical degree at the University of Aberdeen in the UK in 1993 and trained in Geriatric and General Medicine in the Northeast of England (including a Fellowship in Sydney). He underwent a two-year teaching and research Fellowship studying falls in Parkinson’s disease, obtaining a doctoral degree. Brian became a Consultant Physician and Geriatrician with an interest in Parkinson’s disease in Northumbria, UK in 2002, where he developed a large Parkinson’s disease service looking after over 600 patients at any one time. In addition, he has interests in medical management and the management of education. Brian was Director of Training of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and Director of Specialty Training in Health Education England.
In 2016, Brian emigrated to Queensland with his family and became Divisional Director of Medicine and Emergency at Logan Hospital, before moving to a part-time Senior Staff Specialist role at Redland Hospital in 2019. He also works in the Metro South Movement Disorders service, looking after patients from across South Brisbane and beyond.
Brian has an honorary title of Professor at Griffith University and has several active roles with the RACP, including being a local examiner, accreditor, and the current Chair of the Queensland Regional Committee. Outside of medicine, he is an avid traveller and a long-suffering sports fan.
Brian is passionate about all aspects of the Adult Medicine Division, from the largest specialty to the smallest, and has had experience in managing the training across specialties in the UK. He notes that we all have a passion for our own specialties, but there are times when physicians need to come together. This might be to help each other and our patients, to learn and to train together, and importantly, to advocate for what is right.
AMD Executive and Workplan
The AMD Executive (AMDEX) Committee met on Tuesday, 26 July to discuss the priorities for the AMD Workplan for 2023 to 2025. The AMD Council are meeting on the 24 August in a hybrid model (COVID-19 permitting), with a focus on reviewing the workplan that has been commenced by the AMDEX Committee.
ROC
A reminder to members to visit the AMD Community on the RACP Online Community (ROC). This platform provides a fantastic opportunity to connect and collaborate with your peers, and to learn about news and updates from across the College and our community. Keep an eye on the ROC for the webinars being run by the AMD Specialty Societies.
If you would like to discuss any of the above, I encourage you to reach out to me via the secretariat at adult.med@racp.edu.au or on the ROC.
In the interim, be kind to yourself and to one another, and best wishes,
Professor Graeme Maguire
Adult Medicine Division President
AChSHM President’s Post
Kia ora koutou
I would like to congratulate Dr Anne Robertson on her appointment to the Aotearoa New Zealand Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours List 2022. Dr Anne Robertson has been contributing to sexual health services in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 24 years. She has supported the sustainability of sexual health and sexual assault services in Aotearoa New Zealand and improved sexual health outcomes in her current roles as President of the New Zealand Sexual Health Society, in Australasia as previous President of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine, and the Asia-Pacific region through Committee membership of the International Union Against STI.
Preparation for the 2023 AChSHM annual scientific meeting (ASM) has commenced. The organising committee, led by Adjunct Professor Darren Russell, met in late June. Save the date for the 2023 event to be held on Saturday, 18 March 2023, and the Advanced Trainee Meeting (ATM) on Friday, 17 March 2023. More details will be released soon.
Lastly, I would like to bring your attention to the 2022 AChSHM awards below. I encourage you to apply now or forward the awards onto someone that you think would be interested in applying.
Awards currently open
Awards opening soon
Our next AChSHM Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, 14 September 2022. If there are any items you would like to raise with the Committee, or if you have any feedback for us, please feel free to contact us through our secretariat at shmed@racp.edu.au.
Ka kite anō au i a koutou!
Dr Massimo Giola
Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine President
AChPM President’s Post
I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to those who have responded to our call to join the palliative medicine marking panel, and to encourage others who have not already put their hand up to do so. The panel assists with case study and project marking for our Advanced Training and Clinical Diploma trainees.
For more information on joining our marking panel, or to request an EOI form, please contact the Palliative Medicine Education Officers via email. Please remember to submit your updated CV along with the completed EOI form.
Lastly, I would like to draw your attention to some valuable resources relating to palliative medicine. These resources are designed to assist members in reflecting on their practice and performance, as well as providing opportunities for further learning and professional development.
The next Chapter Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, 27 September 2022. Do you have a question for your Chapter committee? We welcome any feedback or comments, so please feel free to contact us through the Chapter secretariat at PallMed@racp.edu.au.
Associate Professor Peter Poon
Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine President
Preparation for the International Medicine in Addiction (IMiA) Conference 2023 has commenced, with the Program Committee comprised of Fellows from RACP, RANZCP, RACGP and RNZCGP. Next year’s conference is being held from 17 to 19 February 2023 in Melbourne. Please save the date and keep an eye out for further details being released soon.
I would like to draw your attention to some valuable resources relating to addiction medicine. These resources are designed to assist members with their performance, reflect on their practice as well as provide opportunities for further learning and professional development.
An important opportunity to represent on the NSW/ACT AChAM Committee as the NSW/ACT Branch Convenor has opened up. I encourage AChAM Fellows to consider applying or forwarding this opportunity to someone who you think might be interested. For more details on the position and how to apply, please see the position description for the EOI.
Please be advised that registrations are open to attend the Rethink Addiction Convention 2022 from 12 to 14 September 2022 in Canberra. The convention aims to help change the conversation about addiction and tackle the stigma and misinformation that stops people getting the help they need.
Lastly, I encourage you to log on to the RACP Online Community (ROC) The ROC is a fantastic platform to connect with other members and remain up-to-date with news, priorities, issues and what is happening more generally across the College.
The AChAM Committee will next meet on Friday, 28 October 2022. If you have any feedback, questions, or comments for me or the Committee, please get in touch through our secretariat at AddictionMed@racp.edu.au.
Professor Adrian Dunlop
Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine President
Expressions of Interest (EOIs)
All Expressions of Interest
The RACP Board is seeking a Member Director
The RACP Board governs the College by acting in the best interests of all members while observing all legal and regulatory requirements and high standards in relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and the community in which the College operates.
The Member Director provides consultative advice and support to the College Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and the Senior Leadership Committee to ensure transparency and fairness in all procedural matters. This position also assists in aligning governance of the College to the College’s Strategic Plan, and in supporting the College President in providing leadership - particularly with respect to College members.
Fellows with demonstrated experience in leadership are invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI) by Wednesday, 24 August 2022.
Read more and submit an EOI
College Medals and Awards
Nominations are now open for the following College and Fellowship awards. These awards acknowledge outstanding contributions and achievements made by Fellows and trainees in their respective fields. We encourage you to nominate for the following medals:
- The John Sands Medal recognises a Fellow who makes a significant contribution to the welfare of RACP and its members.
- The College Medal is aligned to the College motto hominum servire saluti. It is awarded to a Fellow who makes a significant contribution to medical specialist practice, healthcare and/or health of community through physician activities.
- International Medal recognises a member who has provided outstanding service in developing countries.
- Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas recognises a Fellow who has provided outstanding clinical service in rural and remote areas of Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Mentor of the Year Award recognises a Fellow who has made an outstanding contribution to mentoring, or who has provided a high level of support and guidance throughout training.
- Trainee of the Year Award recognises a trainee who has made an outstanding contribution to College, community and trainee activities.
- The Eric Susman Prize is awarded by the College to a Fellow for best contribution to the knowledge of internal medicine.
Full details of these medals, prizes and awards are available on the RACP Foundation webpage.
AChAM
AChSHM
College submission to the Australian National Audit Office on the expansion of telehealth services
The College recently made a submission to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) regarding its audit of the Department of Health’s management of the expansion of telehealth services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020.
This submission highlighted the fact that telehealth by phone and video has delivered a range of benefits including improved access to much-needed specialist and allied healthcare for priority and underserved populations in remote, rural, and urban communities who might otherwise be excluded because of geography, mobility, technology, or preference factors.
It also stressed that the best option for consultation length and modality (face-to-face, telehealth by phone or video) should be decided jointly by the patient and the doctor based on what type of care is clinically appropriate and practically achievable. Recent restrictions that have been applied to telephone telehealth items risk increasing health inequities and may lead to some patients deferring or foregoing care altogether, leading to increased demand for acute care services.
The College continues to advocate for the reinstatement of telehealth MBS items by phone via our media releases.
The RACP Trainee Research Awards 2022 are open
Trainees and first year Fellows, this is your chance to be recognised for your research.
The prestigious annual RACP Trainee Research Awards are open and accepting submissions across all Divisions, Faculties and Chapters. Winners will be selected from each Australian state/territory and from Aotearoa New Zealand, and will be invited to present alongside recognised researchers at RACP Congress 2023. Winners will also receive complimentary registration and travel, and will have their abstracts published in the Congress supplement of the Internal Medicine Journal or the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Trainees and new Fellows undertaking post-Fellowship training with the RACP are encouraged to apply.
For information about eligibility, selection criteria, the abstract submission, and applying, please view this webpage. Submit your application by Wednesday, 31 August 2022, 5pm AEST.
Apply now
Advanced Training (AT) online registration closes next month
Advanced Trainees are required to submit applications by Wednesday, 31 August 2022 for the second half of the training year. Log in to the AT Online Registration System using your College credentials to submit your application.
Registration requirements:
- If you have already registered/interrupted your training for the second half of 2022, no further action is required.
- If you have already had your training for the second half of 2022 approved but are now undertaking a different rotation, you can submit a new online registration.
- Incomplete applications may result in your application being returned to you for editing and delay your approval decision. Training committees are unable to consider applications without all the relevant information, so ensure you have completed all the details before you submit your rotation.
- If you are completing more than one rotation/position, you will need to create additional rotation(s) within your application. Please do not apply for different rotations/positions under one rotation within your application. This may result in your application being returned to you for editing and further delay the process.
Supervisor Approval
Trainees are required to nominate supervisors that meet the supervision requirements of the relevant training program. Please ensure that all nominated supervisors review and approve each rotation within the application before the closing date.
If you have any questions, please contact Advanced Training or email memberservices@racp.edu.au.
New study: comparing bridging thrombectomy versus direct thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke
A new randomised controlled study has been led jointly by RACP Fellow Professor Bernard Yap and Professor Peter Mitchell on Endovascular thrombectomy versus standard bridging thrombolytic with endovascular thrombectomy within 4·5 h of stroke onset: an open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomised non-inferiority trial.
The study looks at the benefit of combined treatment with intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, which remains unclear. The team behind the study hypothesised that the clinical outcomes of patients with stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with direct endovascular thrombectomy would be non-inferior compared with the outcomes of those treated with standard bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular thrombectomy).
Read the study
Join the Overseas Trained Physicians (OTP) Assessment Subcommittee — extended deadline
Fellows from the Adult Medicine Division and the Chapters are invited to express their interest in joining the OTP Assessment Subcommittee. The Subcommittee can make a fundamental impact on the health service delivery and the quality of care in the Australian health system. Click here to find out more, or to apply by 22 August 2022.
Apply now
Internal Medicine Journal – July 2022 edition now available
The July 2022 issue of the Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ) is now live on the Wiley Online Library and the RACP website (log in using your RACP login credentials). Access articles tweeted on IMJ's Twitter account for free, for a limited time. The easiest way to access the IMJ is via the Wiley Online Library App, so find out how you can access it today.
Key highlights from the issue are:
- Cautious optimism for the future of migraine treatment.
- Sustaining the Australian respiratory workforce through the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping literature review.
- Pharmacogenomic testing: perception of clinical utility, enablers and barriers to adoption in Australian hospitals.
- Telehealth in outpatient delivery of palliative care: a prospective survey evaluation by patients and clinicians.
Read the journal
Pomegranate Health podcast — Ep83: Loving Medicine Again
Ep83: Loving Medicine Again
In the last episode we heard some powerful examples of the challenges faced by practitioners in medicine.
In this episode we hear from doctor-career coaches Ashe Coxon and Sarah Dalton who help medics solve workplace challenges and encourages them to remember what drew them to the profession.
Associate Professor Peter Connaughton describes burnout as an occupational health issue that needs to be solved organisationally. These presentations were recorded at Congress 2021, but a listener has shared simple gestures that can make a world of difference to colleagues stretched thin at a busy hospital.
Guests
- Dr Stephen Philpot FCICM (Alfred Health, Cabrini Hospital)
- Dr Ash Coxon FRACGP (Townsville Hospital, Medical Career Planning)
- Dr Sarah Dalton FRACP (Westmead Children’s Hospital)
- Associate Professor Peter Connaughton FAFOEM (Curtin University, University of Notre Dame)
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.
Specialty Societies Webinar Series
A number of upcoming webinars presented by the AMD Specialty Societies are available for College members to attend. Explore and register for the upcoming webinars in the events list at the bottom of this update.
Practitioner Perspectives on Gender Diverse Identity Study
You are invited to take part in the Practitioner Perspectives on Gender Diverse Identity study, which explores the attitudes and beliefs around gender diversity within the healthcare community. The aim of the study is to understand how medical and allied health practitioners view the development of gender-diverse identities and the roles they play in the course of that development.
By agreeing to participate in the study, you will be asked to take part in an online survey that should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. To thank you for your time, you will also be invited to attend a webinar about how gender-diverse identities develop and evidence-based recommendations for practice. Recordings of the webinar and slide packs will be made available for practitioners who are unable to attend.
Register for the study
New online course: Genomics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Genomics can provide greater understanding and more effective diagnosis of genetic conditions, from the relatively common to the extremely rare. This new self-paced online course has been designed to educate physicians on how to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities by working together to create world-class genomic research and clinical care.
Visit RACP Online Learning to view our extensive range of online learning resources, and earn CPD credits while you learn.
Join the conversation on the ROC
Don’t forget to log in to the ROC and be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts regarding our top three trending topics for July:
- 2023 MyCPD requirements
- How do you encourage trainees to reflect on professionalism?
- Your top 3 priorities for your practice, patients & community?
You can also take part in Mentor Match. This innovative program helps you find and connect with others based on your mentoring preferences and professional goals. Register as a mentor or mentee and kickstart your mentoring relationship today.
The ROC allows you to connect with your colleagues, share your thoughts, and have your opinions heard.
Log into the ROC
Member Advantage — Let's book it in
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Are you looking to book your spring getaway or the family summer holiday?
Don't forget to check out great offers from our travel partners on lounge access, car rentals, hotel bookings, and more.
Let’s go to the Market NZ
The Market NZ provides an online shopping experience with great offers on products ranging from tech and electronics to fashion, food, and more. Log in now to start shopping for Father’s Day.
Available online 24/7. That's your Member Advantage.
*Terms & conditions apply and may vary based on the provider. Please check partner website for full terms and conditions.
Australian member access Aotearoa New Zealand member access
Other news and events
News
Events
- Online course: Developing effective skills spaced learning course — from 1 August
- Webinar: Using My Health Record: Privacy, security and medico-legal implications — 2 August, 7pm AEST
- 16th National Rural Health Conference — 2 to 4 August
- Webinar: Peripheral neuropathy — 3 August, 6pm AEST
- ANZAN webinar: Distal myopathies — 3 August, 6pm AEST
- Webinar: Update in Nephrology, endocrinology and respiratory medicine — 6 August, 9am AEST
- 2022 Australasian Diabetes Congress — 8 to 10 August
- Webinar: Make it count: Choose every blood product for transfusion wisely — 10 August, 6pm AEST
- Webinar: Quality and safety in rural Australia — 11 August, 5pm AEST
- NSANZ 15th Annual Scientific Meeting — 13 to 14 August
- ANZSPM webinar: Novel approaches to managing severe chronic breathlessness — 15 August, 6pm AEST
- ANZAN webinar: Interventional neurology — 24 August, 6pm AEST
- ADIPS webinar: Dietary management of GDM: The carbohydrate conundrum — 24 August, 6pm AEST
- ANZBMS webinar: Bone health in children — 29 August, 6pm AEST
- ARA webinar: Living guidelines on the perioperative use of DMARDs in people with inflammatory conditions — 30 August, 7pm AEST
View career opportunities on the RACP website.