The President's Message – 19 December
- 2:59 Hannah Bills, helicoptering over Darwin
- 3:26 Graeme McGuire doing what he loves – remote physician outreach
- 3:59 Matt Lee-Archer, Neurologist
- 4:20 Hash Abdeen, growing the trainee voice
- 4:50 Chris Leung sees a silver lining to the challenges of the pandemic
- 5:27 Cate Storey, Chair of our Library and Heritage Committee
I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands I am speaking on today. I extend my respect to all Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori people. Together, we restate our shared commitment to advancing Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori health and education as core business of the RACP.
It’s that time when many of us reflect on the past 12 months and look ahead to what the next year may hold. This year, I can look back on the first six months of my RACP Presidency. It certainly has brought some challenges, yet as with most roles worth our effort, also some great rewards.
I have called on some of our amazing members to share their views on 2022 and what they are looking forward to. I hope you enjoy hearing their perspectives as well. COVID-19 forced us to stay closer to home, and at times at home. More than 9,850 members accessed more than 52 CPD events during 2022. That’s an enormous increase in members engaging with College education and professional development. Our resources continue to grow, have a look and see what’s there. I personally really enjoyed the COVID-19 webinars. Thanks especially to Susan Graham, Lucy Burr and Asha Bowen.
We continue to improve how we support trainees. Over 236 Supervisor Professional Development Programs, with over 4,386 attendees, have been delivered through 2022. Thanks to Marin Veysey, David Goddard and Michael Noel.
Climate change remains a key priority for our College. I want to thank Lynne Madden and Linda Selvey for their leadership. I am proud to have been invited to join the CMO Advisory Group for the National Strategy for Climate Change and Health. I am even prouder that five members of the Advisory Committee, including the CMO, are members of RACP – Anne Duggan, Kate Charlesworth, Tarun Weeramanthri and of course, Paul Kelly.
Gender equity in medicine is the business of the RACP. Providing a voice for trainees and Fellows through the Gender Equity in Medicine group has identified ways we can make a difference. Thanks to Catherine O’Connor and Helena Teede. I am very pleased that work has progressed on the Flexible Training Policy.
So what else are you looking forward to? Here is what some of our members say they’re personally looking forward to next year, what their best College experience of 2022 was, or what they think is important for us in 2023.
Hannah Bills, helicoptering over Darwin, says she’s looking forward to heading to Japan in 2023 with her siblings for her Dad’s 60th. Hannah is deputy co-Chair of our Trainees Committee and her standout College experience this year was finally having a face-to-face College Trainees' Committee meeting. Hannah thinks communication, transparency and technology are most important for the College next year.
Staying in the far north of Australia, let’s head over to Christmas Island and our Adult Medicine Division (AMD) President Graeme McGuire doing what he loves – remote physician outreach. Graeme says in 2023 he’s excited to get the Division rolling up its sleeves on workforce, leadership, wellbeing, fairness and transparency in advanced training selection, and governance. Listening to his fellow members innovative and insightful ideas in College council and other member forums was his highlight of this year.
Here’s Matt Lee-Archer with his wife Anita – Matt is a neurologist in Tasmania. Matt’s looking forward to exploring the apple isle on his new gravel bike next year. Matt’s most important thing in 2023 will be looking after our trainees and new Fellows, who have been severely affected by the pandemic over the last few years.
This is Hash Abdeen, pictured in the middle, with two AMA colleagues a fortnight ago at the Australian Doctor’s Health Conference in Adelaide. Hash says his best RACP experience of 2022 was becoming the College Trainees' Committee (CTC) Chair, representing all trainees to ensure their concerns are heard and actioned. He’s looking forward to growing the trainee voice to strengthen our high-quality education and training programs across both countries.
Chris Leung sees a silver lining to the challenges of the pandemic. Chris believes we are more connected, with a greater focus on the preventative and social determinants of health than we have ever been before. Chris was inspired by speakers on climate action at our Congress and asks us all to imagine achieving net zero, and within a generation, literally saving the world and all the communities we serve. As he says, when the winds of climate change blow, we can either build walls, or evolve and build windmills. An inspiring vision.
I’ll leave the last word to the Chair of our Library and Heritage Committee, Cate Storey. This year Cate talks about the eerie silence of 145 Macquarie Street. Cate looks forward to the College physically and metaphorically being able to open its doors once again and regrouping after the set-back of COVID-19. Cate says in 2023 – we should learn from the effects of social isolation and the inability to actively participate with colleagues - and make up for these lost opportunities.
I’m heartened by your stories and once again inspired by your breadth and depth of experience.
Next year will arrive quickly. We’re already planning for elections next month with nominations for one member Board Director position opening on Friday, 6 January. I want to welcome Professor Vin Massaro and Professor Pooshan Navathe as RACP Board Directors. You can read more about them in this eBulletin. I also want to thank the staff for their deep commitment to the College and hard work throughout 2022.
As Barack Obama said, It’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realise your potential. Let’s continue to see the potential in our College.
I hope you have a chance to have a restful end to the year, or if you are working, that you stay safe and well. On behalf of the Board, I want to wish you all the best for the season - and thank you for watching.
Dr Jacqueline Small
RACP President
To contact Jacqueline, please email president@racp.edu.au
The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Louise McElvogue as Interim Chief Executive Officer, commencing 19 December 2022. Louise is a digital technology and strategy expert who brings skills and experience that will be very valuable for the College. She has substantial global experience driving business change, addressing organisational complexities and working with stakeholders. Her experience managing culture, governance and developing and implementing strategy will be a huge benefit to the College and its members.
Louise sits on the board of Healthdirect, but is taking a leave of absence from the position during her term as Interim CEO for the College. She has experience in membership association governance as the President of the Australian Institute of Company Directors NSW Council and a former board member of The Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Louise’s experience in digital technology and consumer marketing includes leading more than 30 digital projects for major Australian and global companies. She was an Industry Professor at UTS Business School, working in data and digital.
The recruitment process for a permanent CEO will start in early 2023. Please join me in welcoming Louise to the College.
Kind regards,
Dr Jacqueline Small, RACP President.
BA, PhD (Monash), FAICD, HonFRANZCR, HonFATEM
Professor Vin Massaro has held several leadership and other senior roles in universities. He has also served on several health-related Boards, including as the inaugural Independent Director of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Northern Health in Melbourne, Médecins Sans Frontières Australia, the Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures – Surgical. Vin has also served as Chair of Flinders Reproductive Medicine and the Anti-Cancer Foundation of South Australia.
Vin's leadership roles have included Chief Executive of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, inaugural Chief Executive of the Victorian State Board of Education, Director of Administration and Registrar at Flinders University. He has also held senior positions at Latrobe University, Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences and Melbourne University Private. Vin has also been Strategic Adviser to Deloitte Consulting, specialising in health and education.
In a long consulting career, Vin has advised governments, universities and specialist colleges in Australia, as well as internationally on health workforce, governance, management and higher education policy and planning. His consulting work has included a review of the assessment of the recognition of overseas specialist qualifications for IMGs, including international comparisons, several other health workforce reviews, the development and accreditation of new medical specialisations and of new medical schools. Vin has also provided advice while working with the AMC. Additionally, he was a Founding Editor of the Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, and Editor of the OECD's Journal, Higher Education Management and Policy.
Vin is a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and was previously a Professorial Fellow in the Joint Australian Health Workforce Institute of the University of Melbourne, as well as the University of Queensland. Vin is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.
We welcome Professor Vin Massaro in his role as Community Director of the RACP.
MBBS, MD, B Ed, MBA, PhD
Dip Occ Med, Dip Aviation Safety Regulation, Dip Leadership and Management,
FAFOEM (RACP), FRCP (London), FRACMA, FACHSM, FRAeS, FAeMS, FACAsM, NMAS Accredited mediator, CHE, GAICD
Professor Pooshan Navathe is a practising clinician, specialising in occupational and aviation medicine. He is internationally respected as a thought leader in evidence based aeromedical decision making. Pooshan maintains his clinical currency while working as the Executive Director Medical Services for the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service. He describes his role as a Senior Staff Specialist in safety, quality, and system integrity. Pooshan’s special interests are safety and governance, the education and mentoring of health professionals, implementing change, and enabling colleagues to attain professional excellence in their practice.
Over a clinical career lasting over three decades, Pooshan has worked on several internally and externally grant-funded research projects. While the grants total up to approximately one million dollars, most of the work was internally-funded task directives within the organisations that Pooshan has worked for. He has contributed to or led nearly 50 departmental projects of varying magnitude and significance. He has also written book chapters and contributed to several papers and conference presentations. Pooshan brings to his research a difficult balance – a combination of academic purity, scientific rigour, and real world pragmatism.
Pooshan has a strong educational emphasis in his practice, and his degree in education has been supplemented by over two decades as a teacher in Universities and Professional colleges. He has demonstrated leadership in education by participating and chairing the education committees of most professional colleges he has worked with. Pooshan supervises students for the grant of MD degrees, for a Masters in Health Science degree, and for trainees in occupational medicine, aviation medicine and medical leadership.
Pooshan has held College and other responsibilities including Deputy Censor and later Censor (Aotearoa New Zealand) of AFOEM (Jan 2007 – Jun 2008), Member Assessment Subcommittee AFOEM (2009 –2015), and examiner for written and oral examinations (2009 – 2015). He has also served as Chair of the Education and Training Committee, Member Executive Board and Censor for the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators 2015-current; Wing Commander, RAAF Specialist Reserve.
We welcome Professor Pooshan Navathe to the RACP Board.
The RACP Board has regrettably had to make the decision to postpone the RACP Congress that was to be held in May 2023 in Brisbane.
This is due to the late announcement of the Australian NRL Magic Round in Brisbane for the same weekend. That conflicting event negatively impacts travel and accommodation costs and availability for speakers and delegates.
We understand this will be disappointing for members; the College’s Fellowship Committee is currently developing an alternative plan for delivery of our annual flagship event. Details will be announced as early as possible in 2023.
The Medical Board of Australia and the Medical Council of New Zealand are strengthening recertification requirements for physicians in 2023. The College has drawn together core requirements of both regulators to create the 2023 MyCPD Framework. We support you to comply with your CPD requirements, whatever your individual circumstances may be.
Useful information:
My RACP. MyCPD Home
You have never stopped learning. We’re here to make sure that continues
From 1 January 2023, all Australian medical practitioners will need a CPD Home. Your RACP Fellowship means you already belong to a quality CPD Home. If you are already participating in our MyCPD program, you don’t need to do anything. If you are not using our MyCPD program, you can email the CPD team to obtain free access as part of your RACP membership.
Support for Rural Specialists in Australia (SRSA) helps rural specialists stay skilled, supported and engaged in providing the best care for their community. The SRSA Program is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care and managed by the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges.
You can apply for a grant of up to A$10,000 to do CPD activities such as attending conferences, workshops, clinical attachments and peer review. Applications close on Friday, 31 March 2023.
For further information on the grant, eligibility, and how to apply, visit the SRSA website.
Congratulations to the 46 recipients of the RACP Research Awards for 2023 offered through the RACP Foundation. We are very proud to support the careers of our members, who constantly strive to discover new and innovative ways to meet the health challenges of today and into the future.
The RACP would also like to acknowledge the work of the Grants Advisory Committee. They generously provide their time and collective expertise to review the many applications for the research awards and grants offered through the RACP Foundation. These awards are made possible through the donations of you, our members, our partner organisations and bequests.
Thank you for your support in making our scholarships, awards and prizes available.
We thank all of our volunteer Fellows who have facilitated the Supervisor Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshops this year virtually, face-to-face, and online. Your continued support with facilitating the workshops throughout another difficult year has been remarkable and appreciated. With your help, we were able to provide 236 SPDP workshops across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, attended by 4,386 College supervisors. This is an exceptional effort by an all-volunteer workforce, and we couldn’t have achieved this without you.
A total of 100 facilitators delivered the 236 workshops in 2022. Facilitators give of their own time to be trained to facilitate, prepare for, and deliver the SPDP workshops. We want to highlight three Facilitators who have delivered an extraordinary number of workshops in 2022. Dr David Goddard, Dr Michael Noel and Professor Martin Veysey have provided 64 workshops this year alone and they have done this with a high level of expertise and fresh enthusiasm each and every time – thank you for your continued support.
Thank you again to the Fellows who have facilitated SPDP workshops this year. We hope you enjoy your end of year break.
Kind regards,
RACP Supervisor Learning Support.
You can help shape the future of our training programs. Consultation is now open for the following draft curricula. Visit the specialty pages below to review the draft curriculum and provide your feedback.
Watch this short video to find out more about the curriculum development process and how you can contribute to the consultation. If you have any questions, please email curriculum@racp.edu.au or contact Member Services.
Ep89: What we know about long COVID
ADAPT is a prospective cohort study that has been following up COVID-19 patients since the earliest days of the pandemic. It has allowed researchers to track the emergence of long COVID, a syndrome that includes symptoms such as ongoing breathlessness, fatigue, chest tightness and 'brain fog'.
Over the course of the study, participants have contributed blood cells, cardiac and brain MRIs, tests of respiratory function and more. The research has uncovered molecular and functional correlates that are helping to explain long COVID. Meanwhile, clinicians at the St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney long COVID clinic are successfully applying rehabilitation strategies drawn from the treatments of chronic pain and other functional disorders.
Guests
- Professor Gail Matthews MRCP FRACP (Head of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney; Kirby Institute)
- Dr David Darley FRACP (St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney)
- Professor Steven Faux FRACGP FAFRM FFPMANZCA (Director Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney)
- Professor Bruce Brew AM FRACP FAAN (Director of the Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney)
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