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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 15: Friday 30, 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
Vacant
(02) 8247 6239
FacultyCPD@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
Hi There,
Wow, two weeks really does go fast. And before you know it, it is time to circulate everyone's favourite newsletter.
This edition sees a lot of Events, so please check out the list (a great way to increase your CPD points). We also have an update on the last Hunter Region Scientific Meeting from David Goddard. And my final reminder to you that TSRs are due TODAY. So please make sure you have submitted them.
I will see you in a fortnight. Have a good one!
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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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So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good Night... |
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Please don't go Andy Messner!
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the departure of AFOEM SEO Andy Messner. His knowledge, expertise and friendly professionalism have really shaped AFOEM and we are greater for having known him. Andy's last day will be the 17th August. We wish him every success in his future endeavours and he will be greatly missed.
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A Message from the Dean |
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Expressions of Interest
Expressions of interest are being sought from Fellows to serve on a new Specialist Advisory Committee in Academic Medicine. This Committee will oversee College trainees who wish to conjointly undertake a PhD or equivalent, leading to both an FRACP and PhD. Such trainees would then be well trained for medical academia.
We seek Fellows who have a PhD or equivalent and are active in academic departments.
If you would like a copy of the role description please email Academic Med Training.
To submit an EOI please forward the following information to Academic Med Training:
- Your CV
- Cover letter outlining how you meet the position description requirements of the role and what you would bring to the role
If you have any queries please feel free to call Libby Newton on + 61 2 8247 6286.
Expressions of interest are required by 30 July 2010.
Professor Kevin Forsyth - Dean
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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 19th August, 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
Overview of the last Hunter Region Scientific Meeting
I attended by teleconference the Hunter Region Occupational Physician/Trainee Scientific Meeting on Thursday 15 July from 6 to 7.30pm (AEST). These meetings on the third Thursday of each month were initiated by Dr Maurice Harden of the Hunter Region Industrial Clinic at Maitland, NSW. Maurice continues to conduct them. On 15 July, discussion centred on the cases of two people with epilepsy. The risk of episodic loss of consciousness always makes a difficult path for an occupational physician between, on one side, unfair discrimination and, on the other side, the possibility of harm to the patient and others and their attendant anxieties. Not all neurologists will firmly commit to the fitness for work of a patient with epilepsy, so such decisions are forever a challenge for occupational physicians to make and monitor.
This scientific meeting was well-conducted as others have been. I recommend these meetings to all trainees by either videoconference (Attend Anywhere) or teleconference. I realise that, because of time differences, the timing may not suit some, but if you do make the effort it will be rewarded by these useful learning experiences. Each meeting is advertised in the AFOEM e-bulletin.
David Goddard - AFOEM Physician Educator
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Electronic Medical Records System Enquiry |
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Help! Helen needs somebody.
Helen McArdle is seeking advice on updating to an electronic system where she could record all aspects of the staff members Occupational Health activities including pre-employment health assessments, serology, vaccinations etc.
She has looked at two products - Medical Director and Best Practice but they are mainly focussed on General Practice and are not really customisable.
Helen is wondering if anyone has a good product that they use which she could have a look at. It would be very useful if it could interface with Pathology and Medical Imaging systems as well.
The system she requires would need to accommodate in excess of 10,000 staff.
Please send all feedback to Helen McArdle.
Thanks for your assistance
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Training Status Reports |
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Don't forget to submit your TSRs!
Just a reminder to all trainees that your TSRs are due Today - 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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Invitation for Expressions of Interest |
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AFOEM Fellow and/or Trainee Representative for the Marketing Sub-Committee
Expressions of interest are requested for the position of Fellow and/or Trainee Representative for the AFOEM Marketing Sub-Committee.
The functions of the AFOEM Marketing Sub-Committee are to:
• investigate a range of marketing strategies to promote AFOEM as a discipline and as faculty;
• prioritise marketing strategies, including costings (and sponsorship opportunities) and timelines for each strategy and;
• present recommendations on marketing strategies to AFOEM Council.
Meetings will be held as required via teleconference/videoconference but will be limited to four a year.
Please send an expression of interest in a brief email outlining what you would bring to the position to Joanna Oakley by Friday 13 August 2010. The representative will be appointed by the Chair of the AFOEM Marketing Sub-Committee, Dr Tim Stewart.
If you wish to discuss the position further please contact the Chair of the AFOEM Marketing Sub-Committee, Dr Tim Stewart or AFOEM Executive Officer, Joanna Oakley.
AFOEM Trainee Representative for the Education Committee
Expressions of interest are requested for the position of Trainee Representative for the Education Committee. Margaret Macky has recently completed her term as Trainee respresentative.
Please send an expression of interest in a brief email outlining what you would bring to the position to Joanna Oakley by Friday 13 August 2010. The representative will be appointed by the Chair of Education Committee, Tim Driscoll.
Outline of the position:
1. Attend Education Committee meetings (2 via face to face and 2 via teleconference/videoconference per year)
2. Provide advice to the Chair and other members of the Education Committee
3. To communicate to AFOEM trainees issues arising from the Education Committee, and to raise issues from AFOEM trainees at the Education Committee
4. The Trainee representative will be a current Trainee and will continue until the two year term is complete, even if he or she obtains Fellowship during this period.
The position is for a two year term.
To discuss this position further please contact Joanna Oakley.
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Learning Needs Analysis Tool (LNAT) |
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A tool to guide trainees
Just a reminder, that the Learning Needs Analysis Tool (LNAT) is now being trialled as a pilot. We strongly encourage all trainees and supervisors to try it now before it becomes mandatory in January 2011. The LNAT can be accessed here.
In brief, the LNAT enables trainees to plan, monitor and evaluate their own learning and gives educational supervisors easy access to collated information regarding the trainee’s progress. Each learning plan covers a period of six months ahead. Later in the year, we shall seek feedback on your experience of using the LNAT. We hope that, like us, you see this as a positive way for the Faculty to support the learning of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
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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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Next CPD Meeting
Just a reminder to all NSW Fellows and Trainees who have sent their RSVP that the next NSWRC / CPD meeting is on 31 July at RACP Phillip Street. We hope to see you all there
Dr Wing Chan
NSW Regional Committee
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Your Policy & Advocacy |
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Release of the "Work and Your Mental Health" brochure for General Practitioners
Research suggests that the longer a person stays out of work as a result of incapacity, the less likely they are to return. This has consequences for their health and for their ability to participate in the community.
Consultations as part of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy revealed that General Practitioners want more information about their role on the employment support system, to assist them to help people with mental illness find a job, stay in, or return to the workforce.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has developed a brochure "Work and Your Mental Health" as part of the Department's contributions to the Council of Australian Governments National Action Plan on Mental Health.
The Work and Your Mental Health brochure is a resource for General Practitioners to assist them in discussions with patients about the benefits of work to mental health. The brochure provides information about the role work can have in recovery from mental illness. It also includes tips on planning a return to work.
For more information please click here.
To view a copy of the brochure please click here.
Realising the Health Benefits of Work - Update
We have been receiving a good amount of positive feedback on the draft list of signatories to the Consensus Statement; suggestions for publications and websites through which we can publicise Realising the Health Benefits of Work and nominations to assist with the development of a health and productivity position statement. Please see the webpage for further information.
Update from New Zealand - On 15 July Dr David Beaumont and Professor John Kolbe presented evidence to the Welfare Working Group in Wellington, with opinions as to how the implications of Realising the Health Benefits of Work impact on the considerations of the group.
The Welfare Working Group was established by Cabinet to undertake an expansive and fundamental review of New Zealand’s welfare system. The Group’s primary task is to identify how to reduce long-term welfare dependency. A final report will be presented to the Government by the end of December 2010.
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Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Prize |
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Enter for your chance to win
The AFOEM prize is offered for excellence in Occupational Medicine eg the best essay written additional to curriculum requirements, or the best research project or assignment required, either obligatory or optionally, in the assessment of courses in Occupational or Environmental Health.
Entry is open to medical students in whichever year or years in the undergraduate curriculum are deemed appropriate by the Dean of the Faculty, depending on the medical curriculum concerned. The prize is also open to interns in their first year of graduation if necessary, to allow them to present material dealt with in the final year.
For more information please click here. Entries close 30 September 2010.
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AFOEM Body Chart |
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Keep Your Body Moving
John Wilson, through the AFOEM Marketing Sub Committee, has developed a Chart to assist in medico-legal report writing. The Chart can now be downloaded from the Faculty website.
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RACP Congress 2011 Darwin |
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Take up the challenge: Indigenous Health and Chronic Disease
Join us for the RACP Congress 2011 in spectacular Darwin from 22 – 25 May 2011. Held at the Darwin Convention Centre, the Congress will examine the challenges of indigenous health and chronic disease over a 4-day program
RACP Congress 2011 will incorporate:
- RACP Graduation Ceremony and Reception
- AFOEM Annual Training Meeting (ATM, 21 – 22 May 2011)
- RACP Trainees’ Day
- Joint Adult Medicine Division
- Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Meeting
- Paediatrics & Child Health Annual Meeting
- Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine Annual Meeting
- Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine Annual Meeting
Take the opportunity to participate in what promises to be an exciting Congress and take some time to discover the natural beauty of the Northern Territory. For more information please visit the website.
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AFOEM Dates For Your Diary |
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AFOEM Council Meeting
- Thursday 5, August 2010 - Council Annual Planning Day
- Friday 6, August 2010 - Council Meeting
AFOEM T&L Committee Meeting
- Friday 27, August 2010
- Face to Face in Sydney (RACP, Edward Ford Room, 145 Macquarie Street, Sydney)
AFOEM Written Examination (Part A & B)
- Saturday 11 - Sunday 12, September 2010
- Various locations (TBC)
AFOEM Practical Examination
- Saturday 6, November 2010
- Melbourne VIC
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External Events |
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Occupational Medicine Related Events:
Safety and Quality: Getting it done without doing it all
Knowledge Through Sharing Seminar
ANZSOM Annual Scientific Meeting
Occupational Body Vibration
Visions Conference 2010 - 18th Annual Occupational Health & Safety Conference
28th Annual AIOH Conference & Exhibition: "Green but Clean"
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Events:
Annual Clinical Meeting RACS / AOA Medico Legal Section
AMA Guides Level 5: Difficult Cases
Occupational Medicine: Factory Visit Program
Other Medical Specialty Related Events:
The 2010 Memorial John McPhee Seminar - Extreme Prematurity: How low should we go?
- 6:30pm, Monday 2 August 2010
- Lecture Theatre, Royal Newcastle Centre, NSW
- For More details and RSVP contact Karen Mackaway - 02 4921 4168
Medical ADAPT Workshop - Ausralasian Donor Awareness Program
Climate Change, Healthcare & Carbon Footprint
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia International Conference: "Advancing Quality of Life"
Annual Clinical Meeting RACS / AOA Medico Legal Section
Australian Disease Management Association 6th Annual National Disease Management Conference
2nd Improving the Delivery of Emergency Care
HIC 2010 - Informing the Business of Healthcare
Seminar: Crime, Morality and Bioethics in America: The Religious Right and the 'Culture Wars'
- Tuesday 31 August 2010
- Foyer, Level 2, Sydney Law School, Building F10 Eastern Avenue, University of Sydney, NSW
- Click for further details
In the Spotlight: Patient Centred Care
Medico-Legal Society of Queensland 2010 Conference - Patient Safety: Who Cares?
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
2010 AIDA Symposium, AGM and Adjacent Events
The 7th Annual PharmaMed Logistics 2010
Primary Healthcare Reform Summit 2010
The Asics Conference of Science & Medicine in Sport
The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Northern Territory Branches of the RACP and the AFPHM
5th Australian Health and Medical Research Congress 2010
1st International Health One Conference: "Human Health, Animal Health, the Environment and Global Survival"
Writing Reports for Court
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ASM- ANZSOM 17-21 August 2010 |
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ANZSOM is going... Back to the Future
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
Further Information and Registration see the attached.
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Other Policy and Advocacy |
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Medical Board of Australia Consultation Paper Proposals for Registration Standard
The MBA has released the above consultation paper. The paper is available here.
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 Karen Steadman by 13 August 2010.
Call for Nominees for Australian Council on Healthcare Standards Medal
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) is currently seeking nominations for its highest award, the ACHS Medal. The ACHS Medal recognises an outstanding contribution by an individual towards improving quality and safety in Australian health services. The medal is presented each year at the ACHS Annual Dinner
Past recipients of the ACSH Medal include Dr MR (Taffy) Jones (2009), Associate Professor Christie Kilpatrick (2008), Professor William Rawlinson (2007) and Professor Ross Holland (2006).
Nominations close on Friday 3 September, 2010. Please click here for a nomination form. Further information is available from Susanne Heuberger - (02) 9281 9955.
Call for Nominees for Australian of the Year Awards 2011
The National Australia Day Council is calling for nominations for these awards for 2011. Nominations are invited for anyone that you believe is exceptional, generous, innovative, spirited, dedicated or inspirational. A nominee does not have to be famous or known to you personally. They can be from any field of endeavour or making any kind of positive contribution to their community.
Nominations close at midnight on Tuesday 31 August 2010. Please click here for further information.
Call for Applications for the Anthony Rothe Scholarship
The Trustees of the Anthony Rothe Memorial Trust invite applications for the Anthony Rothe Scholarship from postgraduate students eligible to enrol to undertake a full-time PhD in a university, affiliated public hospital or public benevolent institution in NSW.
The proposed research must be in accordance with the aims of the Trust, namely into the causes, prevention and treatment or cure of leukaemia and allied blood disorders.
For further details please click here. Applications close Friday 27 August 2010.
Call for Applications for the 2011-2012 Harkness Fellowships
The Commonwealth Fund's Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice provide a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals: academic researchers, government policymakers, clinicians, managers and journalists to spend up to 12 months in the United States conducting a policy-oriented research study, working with leading US health policy experts and gaining in-depth knowledge of the US health care system and the health care systems in the fellows' home countries. Fellows also participate in a Commonwealth Fund-organised series of policy and leadership seminars held throughout the year with US health care leaders in government, politics health care organisation and academia.
The Fellowships are open to applicants from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
For further details, please click here or contact Robin Osborn. Applications close Monday 13 September 2010.
Vacancy - General Manager, National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) has commenced a recruitment process for the position of General Manager. Please click here for a copy of the job description and further information. Applications close Monday 16 August 2010.
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Inquiry into Disability Care and Support - Draft Submission |
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Be Involved
The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine has developed a draft submission in regards to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Disability Care and Support in Australia.
To be involved in this submission, please click here.
All comments and additions should be sent to Rebecca Forbes by close of business 30 July 2010.
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Vital Research for a Vital Australia |
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Policy Statement Released
Research Australia’s policy statement “Vital Research for a Vital Australia” calls for a commitment to a 4% increase in funding for the National Health and Medical Research Council (in real terms) from 2011 ($500m), a $100m package to support clinical research as part of the health reform package, a new Innovation and Technologies Fund to aid commercialization of Australian discoveries, and a national consultation to develop a Ten Year Strategic Health and Medical Research Plan for Australia.
Please click here for a copy of the policy. For more information please visit the website or contact Rebecca James on 03 9650 3131or 0408 120 241
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Library Book Sale |
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Your chance to pick up a rare gem
Books are being offered for sale from the History of Medicine Library. These are items removed from our collection due to duplication or amended collection goals.
Items are sold through a ballot. The ballot will be held three weeks from the receipt of the first order. Following the ballot, all orders will then be filled as they are received. If you would like to check on the status of your order please email.
For full details, please click here.
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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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