Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
   In this Newsletter

    RACP Elections 2010   
    Nominations For AFOEM Council Trainee Representative   
    New Fellows & Deane Southgate Award   
    Dates For Your Diary   
    External Events   
    2010 AFOEM ATM / Faculty Training Day / Dinner   
    WCIM 2010 Melbourne   
    AFOEM Coal Mine Virtual Reality Course   
    Continuing Professional Development Grants   
    Medical Review Officer Course & Examination   
    Changes To OMJ Subscription Process   
    Recap Of Previous Editions   
    Newsletter Input   
    Changed Your Contact Details Recently?   
    The Fine Print   


   About AFOEM

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.


   Contact Us

Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine

145 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000

ph: (02) 9256 9603
afoem@racp.edu.au

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians



AFOEM Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 5: Friday 26, February 2010


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) 0256 9608
Joanna.Oakley@racp.edu.au

Administrative Officer AFOEM
Daniel Cheung
(02) 9256 9603
Daniel.Cheung@racp.edu.au

CPD Administrator | AFOEM, AFPHM & AFRM
Natali Vlatko
(02) 8247 6239
Natali.Vlatko@racp.edu.au

Project Officer | RACP Faculties & Chapters (Part Time: Weds - Fri)
Neridah Callaghan
(02) 9256 9636
Neridah.Callaghan@racp.edu.au

Letter From The Editor-in-Chief

With just only two-and-a-half weeks left to go till the 2010 ATM, FTD, FD and WCIM, please register if you haven't already done so. Please keep in mind that the cut-off date for registrations is Wednesday 10, March 2010.

We are currently setting up a new trainee resources server (share point). We envisage that past trainee presentations (including presentations for the Ramazzini Prize), clinical examination videos (generic and specific for the practical exams), and other learning materials will be added gradually. If you have a resource that you think will be beneficial to our trainees and supervisors, please let us know!

We are putting together the final touches of the AFOEM Learning Needs and Analysis Tool (LNAT), which will be available to trainees and supervisors next week. We encourage all to use it once it is up and running.

Fellows currently participating in MOPs/CPD are reminded to submit their points by Wednesday 31, March 2010. This can be done online via the Faculty website under MyCPD.

Now that I've returned to postgrad studies, you may have some difficulties contacting me on the phone. I am in the office Mondays, Wednesdays (after midday), and Fridays and will continue to regularly monitor my email whilst out-of-office so please feel free to leave a message via email. Otherwise, both Joanna and Andy are contactable during office hours and we have a temp for two-days a week.

University. Brave new world!
I feel old. So very old.


RACP Elections 2010


Dear Colleagues

It is election time again! By now, you should have received an email calling for nominations for vacant positions within the College - including RACP President-Elect as well as numerous positions on the Faculty Council. Notices have been mailed to those Fellows who do not have an email address on the College database. Further information is available at the College website.

This information includes a listing of the available positions; position descriptions and the nomination forms.

I have found working on a College committee interesting, challenging at times, very collegial and instructive. It is a great way to learn about governance, stay abreast of occupational and environmental knowledge and medical education, and a wonderful way to contribute to our professional discipline.

Nominations close Sunday 28, February 2010.

I encourage you to nominate for a position.

Ross Mills,
President, AFOEM


Nominations For AFOEM Council Trainee Representative


Nominations Are Open For A Trainee Represenative To Sit On The AFOEM Council

Penelope Gillett, current Trainee Rep describes her experience:

"I have filled the position of trainee rep on federal council for the last 2 years. Over this period it has provided me with invaluable insight into the workings of AFOEM at the federal level.

I have had the opportunity to have input into important trainee issues such as changing curriculum, exam feedback, training opportunities and fees. The role is not onerous on your time. 2 teleconferences and 2 face to face meetings in sydney a year ( expenses paid!!) I would encourage any trainee especially those more junior in their training to nominate for this role."

Eligibility and Conditions:

  • The Trainee Representative position is open to all active trainees who have fulfilled at least one year of training.
  • The election will be under the supervision of the SEO of the Faculty.
  • If more than one nomination is received for this position an election will be held to decide the successful nominee.
  • The position is for a two-year term.
  • The position of Trainee Representative has no voting rights.

Nomination Form

Attached is the nomination form for the above position. Please download and print, then mail/fax back to The Returning Officer, AFOEM, 145 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW.


New Fellows & Deane Southgate Award


A Round Of Applause Please

At the RACP Graduation Ceremony (Sunday 21, March 2010), we will be welcoming the following thirteen new Fellows into the Faculty:

  • Dr Ross Andrews
  • Dr Gavin Ballenden
  • Dr Peter Cook
  • Dr Tersia De Wilzem
  • Dr Roberto D'Onise
  • Dr David Fitzgerald
  • Dr Dale Kong
  • Dr Bill Panayiaris
  • Dr Angela Skidmore,
  • Dr Steven Sornachalam
  • Dr Euan Thompson
  • Dr Grant Tschirn
  • Dr Naresh Verma

We will also be presenting the recipient of the 2009 Deane Southgate Award (for academic excellence) to Dr Kar Loong Ng, SA so please come along to the Ceremony and congratulate your fellow Occupational Physicians!


Dates For Your Diary


AFOEM Education Committee Meeting

  • Tuesday 2, March 2010
  • 6.00PM - 7.30PM
  • Via teleconference

AFOEM Council Meeting

  • Thursday 11, March 2010
  • 9.00AM - 11.00AM

2010 AFOEM Annual Training Meeting

  • Saturday 20, March 2010
  • Melbourne, VIC
  • For Trainees only
  • Registration cut-off Wednesday 10, March 2010
  • Click for further details

2010 AFOEM Faculty Training Day (Including Supervisor Workshop)

  • Sunday 21, March 2010
  • Melbourne, VIC
  • All Faculty members are welcome to attend
  • Includes trainee presentations for the 2010 Ramazzini Prize and the Annual Members Meeting
  • Registration cut-off Wednesday 10, March 2010
  • Click for further details

2010 AFOEM Annual Faculty Dinner


External Events


12th Annual Health Congress - Reforming Health in the Best Interests of the Patient

WorkCoverSA's Recovery and Return to Work Awards Launch

HFESA Professional Development Session - Integrating Human Factors into the Railway Culture

ACSP Clinical Sports Medicine 2010: Tendons

  • Sunday 7, March 2010
  • NSW Institute of Sport, Olympic Park, NSW
  • Enquiries to Christine de Villeneuve +61 2 9223 4055
  • Click for further details

Report Launch - Access to Women's Health Services for Women with Disabilities

  • Monday 8, March 2010
  • 2.00PM - 4.00PM
  • City West Lotteries House, Delhi St, West Perth, WA
  • RSVP essential by Tuesday 2, March 2010
  • Contact Kerrie Duff (1800 193 331) for further details

3rd Improving Medication Safety: Sharing The Lessons Learnt

3rd Annual Australian Higher Education Congress 2010 - Foundations for the Future

The Deteriorating Patient

Network to Network 2010 Clinical Conference

Occupational Medicine - Getting Patients Back to Work

  • Wednesday 24, March 2010
  • Coal Mine Research Training Facility, Wollongong, NSW
  • Contact Rebecca Clancy (03 9249 1106) for further information

The Impact of Pain

  • Sunday 28 - Wednesday 31, March 2010
  • The Australian Pain Society and the New Zealand Pain Society Combined Annual Scientif Meeting
  • Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD
  • Click for Flyer (PDF | 265KB)

Fatigue Risk Management 2010 - Reducing the Costs, Risks, and Liabilities of Human Error in Today's Workforce

4th ARPA National Injury Management Conference

Basic Principles In Occupational Hygiene

ITAC 2010 - Smart Aged Care: The E-Health Revolution

HIC 2010 - Informing the Business of Healthcare

28th Annual AIOH Conference & Exhibition: "Green but Clean"


2010 AFOEM ATM / Faculty Training Day / Dinner


Changes To The Registration Process

We have been experiencing technical difficulties with our online delivery of our registration process. Please accept our sincere apologies if you have been unsuccessful in registering for the ATM, FTD, and the FD. Registrations can be done via email, see the link to the registration form below.

What's In Store For 2010?

The AFOEM Annual Faculty Dinner will take place on the Sunday prior to WCIM 2010. The 2010 ASM Organising Committee have arranged the venue to be within a short taxi-fare from the RACP Graduation Ceremony. Faculty members are encouraged to attend the RACP Graduation Ceremony and congratulate and welcome new Fellows to the Faculty, followed then by a relaxing dinner at The Terrace.

  • Annual Faculty Dinner
    Sunday 21, March 2010 | 7.00PM - 10.30PM
    The Terrace, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne VIC

    Note: Registration closes Thusday 18, March 2010

    Cost: $121.00 (inclusive GST)

The AFOEM will be holding two separate training events across the weekend of Saturday 20 - Sunday 21, March 2010.

  1. Annual Training Meeting (ATM)
    Saturday 20, March 2010
    AMREP, Commercial Rd, Melbourne VIC

    Note:
    For AFOEM trainees.

    Cost: $143.00 (inclusive GST)
     
  2. Faculty Training Day (FTD)
    Sunday 21, March 2010
    AMREP, Commercial Rd, Melbourne VIC

    Note: All Faculty members are encouraged to attend as the 2010 FTD will feature presentations for the 2010 Ramazzini Award, Annual Members Meeting and a Supervisor Workshop. Supervisors and DoTs attending the Supervisor Workshop on Sunday 21, March 2010 will receive complimentary registration for the FTD. Please contact GTH Events on +61 2 8247 6240 instead of registering online.

    Cost: $93.50 (inclusive GST)

Further to these events, don't forget about the RACP Graduation Ceremony to be held on Sunday 21, March 2010. Come along and show your support as we welcome thirteen (13) new Fellows to the Faculty.

  • College Graudation Ceremony
    Sunday 21, March 2010
    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, VIC

    Entry is free of charge to all 2010 WCIM attendees (and of course to family and friends of new Fellows and recipients of Awards)

Registration

Registration for the Annual Training Meeting, Faculty Training Day, and Faculty Dinner is separate to the WCIM 2010. All payments for the the ATM, FTD, and FD must be made via the Faculty.

To register and pay, please fill out the attached registration form and email to: Neridah.Callaghan@racp.edu.au.

Download the form, fill in the required fields, save, then attach as an email Neridah Callaghan.


WCIM 2010 Melbourne


20 - 25 March, 2010

Registrations for WCIM 2010 Melbourne are now open. Make sure you register early in order to secure your place and receive the discounted early registration. Register online at WCIM2010.

This exciting Congress is being hosted by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand and the International Society of Internal Medicine and is the premiere Congress on internal medicine in the world. WCIM 2010 Melbourne is being held in Australia for the first time in its history, so this is your chance to attend this meeting in a local setting.

The Congress will be held at the new Melbourne Convention Centre which is now the largest combined Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia. This new centre has been awarded a 6 star Green Star environmental rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, the first in the world for a convention centre.

Early bird registration for WCIM 2010 has been extended so there is no excuse for not coming!

The program is in the final stages of development and can be found on the Congress website and in fact, the AFOEM stream has already been finalised!  Please note that the 2010 AFOEM Annual Scientific Meeting is part of the WCIM 2010 program.

Trainees' Day at WICM

The College Trainees' Committee reports that the Committee has marked 2010 as the "Year of the Trainee". To celebrate this, there will be a College Trainees' Day as part of the WCIM followed by a Trainees' Ball.


AFOEM Coal Mine Virtual Reality Course


Attention Trainees! AFOEM Coal Mine Virtual Reality Course.

This one-day course planned for trainees at Coal Services (Wollongong, NSW) is expected to be held on Friday 21, May 2010. Final details including program, learning objectives, and registration will be available later this week with a flyer to be circulated at the 2010 ATM.


Continuing Professional Development Grants


For Remote Specialists

The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists (SSRS) is now calling for applications for CPD Grants of up to $5,000. These Grants are available to support individual medical specialists to access education and professional learning opportunities. It is available to specialists living and working in towns and regions classified as Rural Zone 2 - 3 or Remote Zone 1 - 2, according to the ‘Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas Classification’ (RRMA).

Funding for this final round of SSRS Stream C requires that funds are expended and invoiced to the SSRS Program Management Unit by 30 June 2010. Funds can be used to support costs associated with participating in CPD activities, such as CPD event registration, travel, accommodation and locum cover.

Applications must be submitted to the College by Friday 26, March, 2010.

For further information or copies of the application form, please e-mail rural@racp.edu.au.


Medical Review Officer Course & Examination


Thursday 25 - Friday 26, March 2010

This course, designed by Australasian Doctors experienced in MRO practice, specifically addresses the issues which confront MROs in Australasia.

The course runs over 13 presentation and is followed by an MCQ examination which will credential successful candidates as having passed the examination and be eligible to join the Australian Medical Review Officers Association, AMROA. It will also credential the successful applicant as possessing an examined body of knowledge and be a credible MRO in Australasia.

The course numbers are strictly limited so be early with your registration and payment.

The course is being underwritten by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The course is approved by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. The examination is also being administered under auspices of AFOEM and AMROA.

If you have specific queries, do not hestitate to contact me on sleigh@ssc.net.au.

Dr Kevin Sleigh
Course Convenor


Changes To OMJ Subscription Process


Change Is Inevitable Except From A Vending Machine

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.


Recap Of Previous Editions


Position Vacant (Sydney, NSW)

Primary care, involving general practice and occupational health.

Available Monday to Friday

  • Part-time: 8.00am - Midday or
  • Full-time: 8.00am - 500pm

Starting April 2010.

Perfect training position for Occupational Physician.

Please contact Dr Andrew Keller for further information: (02) 9667 4355 or 0412 105 113.

Permanant Impairment Assessor (WorkCoverSA)

Only medical practitioners accredited with WorkCoverSA are able to assess impairment impairment.

To be eligible to apply, you must be:

  • registered with the Medical Board of South Australia
  • currently in practice (either in clinical or medical-legal work) at least two sessions per week
  • able to demonstrate that you are active in continuing professional development
  • covered by medical indemnity and public liability insurance.

Successful applicants must undertake training as outlined in the WorkCover Guidelines for evaluation of permanent impairments. The training includes a compulsory introductory model that provides background to impairment assessments. Applicants must also choose one or more modules (eg, upper extremities, spine etc) depending on their area of clinical practice.

The introductory module is AUD $286 and the other modules are $396.

To be accredited by WorkCover, medical practitioners will be required to successfully complete competency assessments for all body system modules undertaken.

Participants will need to purchase a copy of the American Medical Association's Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment, 5th edition.

If you would like an application package, please email pia@workcover.com and specify if you want the pack emailed or posted to you.

Applications must be submitted by Friday 19, March 2010.

2010 CPD Grant: Call For Applications

As one of the key initiatives set up by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the CPD Grant is designed to promote and support education initiatives for Fellows’ Continuing Professional Development.

The grant serves as a seed fund to provide financial assistance for the development of educational activities involving a community of Fellows that will contribute to the future continuing professional development of Fellows of the RACP.

The nature and complexity of proposed activities will vary and therefore the grant itself may not cover all costs involved.

An amount of up to $5,000 will generally be approved for any application. However, this may vary at the discretion of the CPD Committee, funds available and the number of applications. We are delighted to announce that the total amount of grant funding the College is making available for the 2010 year is $40,000 for Australia and $15,000 for New Zealand.

All Fellows of the College from the Divisions, Chapters and Faculties in Australia and New Zealand are eligible to apply for a grant.

Please Note: The funding is intended to support organisation of CPD activities for a community of Fellows eg. regional scientific meetings, updates, etc, and therefore is not available to individual Fellow’s CPD undertakings.

Applications will be assessed according to the following principles, with precedence given to those that align closely to the following;

  • Exhibit innovation in content, design and/or method of delivery
  • Support as many Fellows as possible
  • Focus on assisting those who are unable to access the more usual channels of CPD
  • Provide the College with an enduring continuing education resource
  • Provide value for attendees and contribute to their continuing professional development

For more information or to obtain a copy of the 2010 CPD Grant Application Kit, please contact the CPD unit of the Education Deanery via email mycpd@racp.edu.au or phone 02 8247 6239.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 31, March 2010. Unfortunately applications received beyond this date cannot be considered.


Newsletter Input


For Occupational Physicians. By Occupational Physicians

Contributions to the AFOEM Newsletter is always welcome (the monkey has apparently ran 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 paragrah to afoem@racp.edu.au by Tuesday of the publishing week for inclusion into the Newsletter.


Changed Your Contact Details Recently?


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 Daniel Cheung 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.


The Fine Print


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.