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The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine aims for excellence in the standard of training and practice of Occupational Medicine in Australasia. Occupational Physicians are consultants in the effects of work on health and health on work, and strive continually for acceptable working conditions in all facets of industry. |
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Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
145 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000
ph: (02) 9256 9603
afoem@racp.edu.au
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AFOEM Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 13: Friday 2, July 2010 |
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Welcome to this week's edition of the AFOEM eNews.
These ebulletins are best viewed in html. Simply click on the item of interest (left) and you will be taken straight to that item.
An archive of all previous Newsletters (since 2002) are available on the Faculty website.
As always, if you would like to contribute an item to the next eNewsletter please email a paragraph to afoem@racp.edu.au by Tuesday of the publishing week.
Contact us
Senior Executive Officer AFOEM
Andy Messner
(02) 9256 9602
Andrew.Messner@racp.edu.au
Executive Officer AFOEM
Joanna Oakley
(02) 9256 9608
Joanna.Oakley@racp.edu.au
Administrative Officer AFOEM
Josephine Verde
(02) 9256 9603
Josephine.Verde@racp.edu.au
Physician Educator AFOEM
Dr David Goddard
afoem@racp.edu.au
CPD Administrator | AFOEM, AFPHM & AFRM
Natali Vlatko
(02) 8247 6239
Natali.Vlatko@racp.edu.au
For further information and resources, please take the time to visit the Faculty website for updates: http://afoem.racp.edu.au/
Letter From The (New) Editor-in-Chief
I have done it! I have survived the first two weeks at AFOEM. This is thanks to the guidance of Joanna, Andy and of course Daniel who has now moved on to try his hand at different things. This is also thanks to all of you. Your friendly words of encouragement have been really motivational. So a BIG thank you from me. Your patience is sincerely appreciated.
This weeks eNewsletter is jam-packed with information sure to tickle everyone's fancy. We are looking for a Trainee Representative for the Education Committee. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard in regards to decisions made in the Committee. So I hope we are inundated with applications very soon. There are also a plethora of events and meetings you can attend and topics of interest you can read up on to further your knowledge.
So please read it at your own leisure and be sure to email me with any suggestions or items for the next newsletter.
Have a great weekend and stay warm.
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Changes to the eNewsletter |
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We hear what you are saying
Our eNewsletter will now be sent out fortnightly. Should you have anything that needs to be addressed, please forward it to me and I will ensure that it gets circulated as a matter of urgency.
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Hunter Region Scientific Meeting |
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Occupational Medicine Videoconference Grand Rounds
The AFOEM Hunter Region Scientific Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:00pm. The next one to take place will be on Thursday 15th July, 2010. You can attend via on site attendance and post meeting dinner, Attend Anywhere videoconference or teleconference.
Hunter Industrial Medicine Conference Room
The Pinnacle Building
Unit 5 No 500 High Street
Maitland NSW
For more information regarding these meetings, please click on the link
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Invitation for Expressions of Interest |
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Become the AFOEM Trainee Representative for the Education Committee
The AFOEM Education Committee is requesting expressions of interest for the position of Trainee Representative for the Education Committee.
Margaret Macky, the previous Trainee Representative on the Education Committee wishes to advise trainees of the potential benefits of becoming a Trainee Representative on the Education Committee:
"The Education Committee undertakes some key activities for the faculty. It's work includes addressing some of the more formal parts of faculty education business, consideration of non trainee applicants for faculty membership, overview of training and CPD programmes (with liaison with both the Teaching & Learning Committee and the Examination Committee) preparation of materials and maintaining education links with the College of Physicians. The Trainee Representative has the opportunity to bring the trainee perspective into decision making and development areas and can help the Committee by highlighting areas of trainee concern or interest. The trainee would find this a really valuable and not terribly onerous role: an opportunity to work with more experienced (but very friendly) Fellows, and a very useful insight into the function of the Committee within the
College".
Margaret will be more than happy to answer any questions regarding the position and is contactable via email
For an outline of the position please click here
Please send an expression of interest in a brief email outlining what you would bring to the position to Joanna Oakley by 9 July 2010
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Training Status Reports |
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Don't forget to submit your TSR's!
Just a reminder to all trainees that your TSR's are due by Friday 30, July 2010.
A copy of the TSR January - June 2010 document can be downloaded here
Upon completion, email to your Supervisor and Director of Training with a cc to the Faculty office. Keep a copy for your own records. The trainee is responsible for ensuring that the Educational Supervisor and Director of Training sign the report form, and that this document is submitted to the faculty office by the due date. There should be no exemption from this unless in exceptional circumstances.
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A Message from your Trainee Representative |
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Attention Trainees
The ASM/ATM Organising subcommittee is seeking trainees who are interested in being involved in the development of the next ATM due to take place in Darwin in May 2011. Feedback on content is also welcome.
Please contact Dr David Pfidze at Tapfumaneyi.Pfidze@riotinto.com.
- Dr Craig White
AFOEM Trainee Representative
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AFOEM – NSW Continuing Professional Development |
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Wanted: New NSW Volunteers
At the last NSW Regional Committee meeting, we had no new volunteers coming forward to run the NSW Regional Committee.
Those who would like to help out can attend the next meeting on 31 July 2010.
Next CPD Meeting
We are in the process of organizing the meeting on the morning of 31 July at RACP Phillip Street site to inform and help our fellows how to access and use “Attend Anywhere” Video-Conferencing facility for our future Continuing Education.
Please keep this morning free. We will send you more information and confirm the time of this CPD Meeting.
Dr Wing Chan
NSW Regional Committee
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Your Policy & Advocacy |
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Realising the Health Benefits of Work
The position statement developed by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Realising the Health Benefits of Work, which was launched in Sydney on May 18 and Auckland on May 25 is accessible on the Faculty web page, where the address by international expert Professor Sir Mansel Aylward is also available.
Realising the Health Benefits of Work states that “The evidence is compelling: for most individuals, working improves general health and wellbeing and reduces psychological distress.”
We were delighted that business groups, unions, workers’ compensation authorities, rehabilitation providers and other stakeholders attended both launches. We were gratified by the enthusiastic support for the message of Realising the Health Benefits of Work.
Now attention has turned to how we—as a diverse group of stakeholders—can move from consensus to action.
We have several urgent goals, for which we seek your input and support.
- We ask you to help us raise the profile of the position statement. To this end, we would appreciate it if you could recommend any publications or media we should target with articles about the statement, and what websites we should ask to post links to the position statement. We have considered medical publications, such as the Medical Observer and Australian Doctor, but would like to reach a much broader audience. What do you and your colleagues read?
- We will publish a Consensus Statement regarding the health and wellbeing benefits of work which is to be signed by all key stakeholders. As soon as a draft is completed we will share it with you and seek your feedback. The indication from the launch is that a broad group of stakeholders will sign onto the consensus statement, including medical bodies, unions, business groups and regulators. Who else should be involved?
In addition to these two urgent priorities we are soon to commence work on:
- A third position statement that addresses the issues of health and productivity in the workplace. If you are interested in being on the working group for this position statement, please let us know.
We intend to maintain the momentum achieved with the launch of Realising the Health Benefits of Work. You can help us do this by:
- Forwarding us your suggestions for publications and websites through which we can publicise Realising the Health Benefits of Work. We would appreciate it if you could have these to us by 2 July 2010.
- Helping us develop the Consensus Statement about the health and wellbeing benefits of work. The first step is compiling a list of potential signatories. Please send your suggestions by 2 July 2010.
- Assisting with the development of a health and productivity position statement. Please send us your nominations for participation in the working group by 9 July 2010.
Please forward your responses on the above to Andrew Messner at the Faculty Office, andrew.messner@racp.edu.au. We look forward to working with you on these important projects.
Dr Robin Chase
President, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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AFOEM Dates For Your Diary |
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AFOEM Policy & Advocacy Committee Meeting
- Monday 26, July 2010
- Face to Face in Sydney (RACP, Level 6, 52 Phillip Street, Sydney)
AFOEM Council Meeting
- Thursday 5, August 2010 - Council Annual Planning Day
- Friday 6, August 2010 - Council Meeting
AFOEM Written Examination (Part A & B)
- Saturday 11 - Sunday 12, September 2010
- Various locations (TBC)
AFOEM Practical Examination
- Saturday 6 - Sunday 7, November 2010
- Melbourne VIC
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External Events |
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Occupational Medicine Related Events:
HFESA Professional Development Session - The Supply Chain: Implications for Manual Handling and Legal Interventions
- Wednesday 7, July 2010 | 7pm
- 222 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC
- Attendence is free, RSVP not required
ANZSOM Annual Scientific Meeting
28th Annual AIOH Conference & Exhibition: "Green but Clean"
Other Medical Specialty Related Events:
ITAC 2010 - Smart Aged Care: The E-Health Revolution
Medical ADAPT Workshop - Ausralasian Donor Awareness Program
Climate Change, Healthcare & Carbon Footprint
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia International Conference: "Advancing Quality of Life"
HFESA Professional Development Session - Knowledge Through Sharing
- Wednesday 11, August 2010
- Darebin Arts Centre, VIC
2nd Improving the Delivery of Emergency Care
HIC 2010 - Informing the Business of Healthcare
In the Spotlight: Patient Centred Care
Australasian Society Of Aerospace Medicine 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting
- Thursday 16 - Saturday 18, September 2010
- The Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra ACT
- RE: The heart of the nation
1st International Health One Conference: "Human Health, Animal Health, the Environment and Global Survival"
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Position Vacant |
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Senior Medical Officer - Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Canberra, ACT
An opportunity has arisen at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Canberra, Australia for the position of Senior Medical Officer. This role provides the opportunity to utilise your medical skills in the cutting edge industry of aviation. As a Senior Medical Officer you will be responsible for the development and application of aviation medical standards. You also have the opportunity to address challenging public health and occupational medicine issues emerging within the industry. The position is based in Canberra and requires domestic travel and some international travel.
This position would suit a medical practitioner who is qualified in aviation medicine, and has knowledge or experience of occupational medicine, public health or addiction medicine.
There are mandatory qualifications outlined in the position description on the CASA website. Other desirable characteristics would include:
- a background in aviation medicine regulatory standards and policies
- experience in leading or managing small teams or in working effectively in a small team environment.
For further information see the CASA website.
Or Contact: Dr Pooshan Navathe
Phone: +61 (02) 6217 1005
Email: Pooshan.Navathe@casa.gov.au
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ASM- ANZSOM 17-21 August 2010 |
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ANZSOM is going... Back to the Future
*UPDATE* Early Bird regestration has been extended until the 16th July, 2010.
Call for Papers and Participation
Where have we come from and where are we heading in the world of Occupational Health and Safety? What are some solid fundamentals from the past that we need to remember and how can we use these to adapt for the future? How are we exploring new frontiers and approaches? The Annual ANZSOM Scientific Meeting this year will tackle these BIG questions and more in an atmosphere of collegiality and practical learning that members have come to expect and enjoy!
Scientific Program:
- Wednesday – Theme of Day is ergonomics with link up with ergonomic society members; Keynote address by Professor Anne Williamson; invited speakers including Jennifer Long - new technology and visual comfort in the workplace; Dr Tim Driscoll - preventing injury in musicians; Maya Guest - balance and hearing loss
- Thursday – a.m. site visits (Mines Rescue, Mt Tomah Botanic Garden); p.m. free papers & AGM
- Friday – a.m. Invited & free papers - dust diseases; aging; H&S management training; p.m. workshop with Trevor Hall - Creating a positive work environment
- Saturday – Dr Joe Dunn - “Staffalgia: how to handle painful people in the workplace"
Venue:
Step back in time to an era of grace, elegance and charm at the beautifully restored Carrington Hotel where the best of the past meets the needs of the future. Dining, dancing and entertainment are on site. Train or drive to Katoomba, or organise an airport transfer via the Hotel at additional cost.
Social Program:
Depending on numbers interested, a private group tour can be arranged to Jenolan Caves or you can take the hop on – hop off local Explorer bus to major attractions.
Important deadlines:
- 30 May 2010 – Accepted Free Paper abstract submission
- 30 June – Full paper submission
- 3 August – Accommodation bookings (direct with venue using attached booking form)
Further Information and Registration see the attached.
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Information Notices on Occupational Diseases |
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For your interest:
The European Commission has recently published a detailed guide titled "Information Notices on Occupational Diseases: a guide to diagnosis".
To view the guide click on this link.
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Magnetic Field Mitigation |
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Other Policy and Advocacy |
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NSW Branch Public Health Association (NSW PHA)
Annual Public Health Address
Dinner and AGM
When: 15 July 2010
What time: 6.00 - 6.30pm Arrival and pre-dinner drinks
Key note address: National Health Reform: Where is it going?
John Deeble AO Emeritus Fellow, Australian National University
He was co-author of the original proposals for universal health insurance in 1968, Principal Adviser to the Whitlam and Hawke governments in the introduction of Medibank and Medicare and Chairman of the Planning Committees for both schemes. He was a Commissioner of the Health Insurance Commission for 16 years to mid-2000, Founding Director of the AIHW, First Assistant Secretary of the Medicare Division of the Department of Health and an adviser to the governments of South Africa, Hungary, Turkey and Indonesia on health care health financing.
For 15 years to 2005, he was Senior Fellow in Epidemiology and Adjunct Professor of Economics in the ANU.
Venue: Darlington Centre Forum Restaurant
University of Sydney, 174 City Road, Darlington NSW
Closest bus stop is on City Road outside No. 174. Train stations are Newtown & Redfern
Please RSVP by 9 July 2010 to Suri Rezaee at mreza@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Payment by cheque or cash prior to the event.
RACP Submission on the Whole Body Perfusion (Cardiac Bypass) Services Consultation Paper
The Department of Health and Ageing is seeking submissions on the current Medicare arrangements for the payment of whole body perfusion services.
A consultation paper has been released which outlines how perfusion services are provided and funded in Australia. The paper may be accessed via this link.
The Policy & Advocacy Unit invites you to provide a written submission addressing issues that may be of relevance to you. The submission should be sent to mary.osborn@racp.edu.au by 23 July 2010.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare
Australian Health Ministers have endorsed the National Consensus Statement: Essential Elements for Recognising and Responding to Clinical Deterioration, as the national approach for recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in Australian acute care facilities. The College was pleased to provide a submission to the Commission detailing comments on the draft statement. A copy of the College’s submission is available at the following link.
The Statement sets out the agreed practice for recognising and responding to clinical deterioration and has been developed as a generic document to apply to all patients in all acute care facilities in Australia. It should guide health services in developing their own recognition and response systems in a way that is tailored to their patient population and the resources and personnel available, whilst being in line with relevant jurisdictional or other programs.
The statement and material relating to the consultation process are available from the Commission’s website.
Latest National Prescribing Service Therapeutic Topics
The latest NPS therapeutic program, Opioid use in chronic pain: use a planned approach, explores ways of optimising the benefits of opioids in chronic pain while minimising the harms associated with inappropriate use.
The following resources and activities have been developed for health professionals:
- NPS News (69): A planned approach to prescribing opioids
- Prescribing Practice Review (51): Opioids in chronic pain: use a planned approach
- GP and GP Registrar Clinical Audit: Review of opioid prescribing in chronic pain
- Pharmacy Practice Review: Optimal use of opioid-containing analgesics in chronic pain
- Case study: Opioid therapy in chronic pain: use a planned approach
- Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) tool: Opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain
- Pain management plan and diary for patients
- Counselling tool for patients: Using opioid medicines for your chronic pain
- One-on-one educational visiting and small group discussions by NPS facilitators
- Interactive workshop for residential aged care nurses
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Medical Board of Australia - Consultation Paper 4 |
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Feedback Wanted
The Medical Board of Australia recently published "consultation paper 4". It includes:
- Registration Standard – granting general registration to medical practitioners in the standard pathway who hold an AMC certificate
- Guideline - for supervised practice for limited registration
You can access the paper via this link.
The Board would appreciate any feedback you may have. If you wish to provide comments on this paper, please lodge a written submission in electronic form, marked 'Consultation paper 4' at chair@medicalboard.gov.au by close of business on 5 July 2010.
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Australian Federation of Medical Women |
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The Voice of Australian Medical Women
The current edition of the Australian Federation of Medical Women e-newsletter is available. To view this edition online, please click here
For more information on the Australian Federation of Medical Women, including the upcoming 28th International Congress of the Medical Women's International Association which is to be held 28-31 July 2010 in Germany, please visit the website
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CPD Enquiries |
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Fret Not, You're In Good Hands
Should you have any enquiries with your CPD submission, please email mycpd@racp.edu.au or phone (02) 8247 6239.
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Changes To OMJ Subscription Process |
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Are You Subscribed?
The OMJ, Oxford University Press, UK, is an optional extra given to all Faculty members. Through the AFOEM, our members receive a significant discount for a 12-month subscription.
In order to ensure that all Faculty members only pay every 12-months for an annual subscription to the Occupational Medicine Journal we have removed the option to subscribe to the OMJ on your RACP Fellow Annual Subscription Invoice.
A renewal notice will be emailed to you within 6 weeks of your subscription expiration. Should you wish to continue your OMJ subscription, please return the renewal notice at your earliest convenience. Please take this opportunity to verify your postal address for delivery purposes.
Please note that Occupational Medicine is a quaterly issue.
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Newsletter Input |
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For Occupational Physicians. By Occupational Physicians
Contributions to the AFOEM Newsletter is always welcome (the monkey has apparently run out of jokes so we're counting on you now!). Whether it be an event that you think would be of interest to fellow colleagues in the same field, or a position vacancy within your organisation, or even a report on a course you had attended and found worthwhile, please email a paragraph to afoem@racp.edu.au by Tuesday of the publishing week for inclusion into the Newsletter.
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Changed Your Contact Details Recently? |
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Postman Pat & His Black and White Cat
AFOEM hopes to maintain a lifelong relationship with you, but to do so it is important that we keep your up-to-date details. Please notify us if you have recently changed your contact details.
Find A Consultant
As a Fellow of the AFOEM, you may have your business contact details published on the Faculty website for the general public to search. Should you wish to be featured on the AFOEM "Find A Consultant" tool (found on the Faculty website), please write a short email addressed to Josephine Verde with the required information you wish to be published. Please note that you will not be added to the webpage unless you have provided consent to the Faculty Office.
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The Fine Print |
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Disclaimer
Although AFOEM takes all reasonable steps to ensure this email does not contain malicious software, AFOEM does not accept responsibility for the consequences if any person's computer inadvertently suffers any disruption to services, loss of information, harm or is infected with a virus, other malicious computer program or code that may occur as a consequence of receiving this email.
There may be websites and/or events linked to and from this communique that are operated or created by or for organisations outside of The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Those organisations are solely responsible for the operation and information(including the right to display such information) found on their respective websites.The linking to or from this communique does not imply on the part of the AFOEM any endorsement or guarantee of any of the organisations or information found on their respective websites.
The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environment Medicine does not assume and is not responsible for any liability whatsoever for the linking of any of these linked websites and/or events, the operation or content of any of the linked websites nor for any of the information, interpretation, comments or opinions expressed in any of the linked websites. Any comments or inquiries regarding the linked websites and/or events are to be directed to the particular organisation for whom the particular website and/or event is being operated.
Unless stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of AFOEM.
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