We've got a whopper of an edition this week!

These ebulletins are best viewed in html. Simply click on the item of interest (left) and you will be taken straight to that item. Please note that the previous editions of the eNewsletter are also available on the Faculty website: Media & News > eNewsletters.

As always, if you would like to contribute an item to the next eNewsletter please email a paragraph to afoem@racp.edu.au.

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Unless stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of AFOEM.

Update: Find A Consultant

It has come to our attention that the "Find a Consultant" feature on the Faculty website is well and truly in need of an update. If you would like to have your work details listed on the website for public viewing, please send a short email to the Administrative Officer. This is a great opportunity to get some free exposure of your practice. The proposed format of the online database is:

• Name
• Practice
• Address
• Telephone
• Email

For your information, this feature will be undergoing maintenance from Saturday 24, January to Sunday 1, February 2009 to accomodate for submissions and updates. During this period, this function may be disabled.

Upcoming Events & Meetings

Hunter Region Scientific Meeting

• Friday 30, January 2009
• 6:00PM
• 5/500 High St, Maitland NSW or via Teleconference
• Topic: Treatment Using Work Related Activity
• Further details: Dr Maurice Harden: maurice@industrialmedicine.com.au or 02 4999 6500
• Flyer (PDF)

A&C Committee of AFOEM Face to Face Meeting

• Friday 13, February 2009
• 9:30AM-3:30PM
• Lv7, 52 Phillips St, Sydney

AFOEM Council Teleconference

• Friday 13, February 2009
• 9:00AM-12PM

P&A Committee of AFOEM Meeting

• Tuesday 17, February 2009
• 5:00PM-6:00PM

Remote Area Trainee Teleconference

• Thursday 19, February 2009
• 1:00PM-2:30PM

WOMIG 2009 Workshop

• Friday 27, February - Sunday 1, March 2009
• Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand

Important Dates For Your Diary

For a more detailed AFOEM calendar, please visit the Faculty website.

Training Status Report Deadline

• Friday, 30 January

Ramazzini Abstract Deadline

• Friday, 30 January

Trainee Annual Subscription (Early Bird) Deadline

• Tuesday 31, March 2009

CPD/MOPS for 2008 Submission Deadline

• Thursday 30, March 2009

AFOEM 2009 ATM

• Saturday 16 - Sunday 17, May 2009
• James Packer Auditorium, RPA Hospital, Camperdown, NSW

AFOEM 2009 ASM

• Tuesday 19 - Wednesday 20 May, 2009
• Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, NSW

Faculty Website Changes

Please note the following changes on the AFOEM website:

• 2009 Faculty Calendar
• Trainee Notices
• Documents & Forms
• News & Announcements
• Positions Vacant
• Trainee Resources
• Education & Training
• Written Communications Portfolio
• External Resources

CPD Grant Available 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 medcial specialists access to education and professional learning opportunities, who are 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).

For further information, please visit the SSRS website.

New Training Course For All

Recovre | WorkCover | University of Sydney

A new RACGP/ACRRM accredited online or face to face WorkCoverGP training starts this February.

Introductory Module - Effective Communication

• Crown Plaza Hunter Valley - Wednesday 4, February - 6:00PM-10:00PM
• Crown Plaza Newcastle - Thursday 5, February - 6:00PM-10:00PM

Second Module - Soft Tissue Injuries

• Crown Plaza Hunter Valley - Wednesday 25, February - 6:00PM-10:00PM
• Crown Plaza Newcastle - Thursday 26, February - 6:00PM-10:00PM

These training courses have been designed and developed by WorkCover, the University of Sydney and Recovre for GPs who have an important role in the compensation system.

The courses are being delivered by Prof Simon Wilcock an experienced GP, leader in the subject matter and educator.

The modules have been developed with input from the AMA, RACGP and the Alliance of Divisions of General Practice.

The introductory module improves understanding of the compensation system, how to work and communicate effectively in the system, and how to get the best outcomes for your patients. The soft tissue module updates participants on the current clinical approach to soft tissue injuries (including back pain).

The event will be an exciting chance to learn in an environment that promotes improved practice and networking with your colleagues. The venue will be catered and learning resources provided to take away. Feedback will also be collected on ways to improve the compensation system.

The modules count for RACGP and ACCRM QA/CPD points (40 category 1 points) for the current triennium.

Call 1300 550 276 for further information, visit the website or email recovremedical@recovre.com.au.

Hurry places limited and registration must close soon!

ACSQHC - Medication Safety Update

The Australian Commission of Safety & Quality in Health Care

Download Issue 1 of Medication Safety (PDF | 112KB).

Cambodian Public Health Doctors

Read the Newsletter from Dr Kate Bruck and Dr Beryl Turner.

• Regular donation form
• Donation form Cambodia Project

Case Studies Needed

The My Medical Career website would like to profile various doctors, junior doctors, registrars and medical students on our website as case studies. We believe real life profiles have a significant impact on the career decision making process.

We would appreciate if you could assist us with the provision of three profiles we could include on the website. An example of how this will be presented on the site can be seen here.

Should you be interested in helping out, fill out the Questionnaire and forward it to Chris Edwards at chris.edwards@metisinternet.com.

ACHS Council

Australian Council on Healthcare Standards

The ACHS has a vacancy on their Council for a Fellow of the Faculty. This important role requires members whose skills include:

• a contemporary knowledge of the quality agenda in health; and
• higher level skills in a health industry related area including, but not limited to, policy development and review, planning, management, clinical care or consumer representation.

If you are interested in further details or nominating for the role, please e-mail the College’s Policy and Advocacy Department at: melinda.keresztes@racp.edu.au 

Other details about the ACHS are available through their website: www.achs.org.au

Closing date: Monday 16 February 2009.

RACP Announces New CEO

Media Release

Dr Jennifer Alexander, one of Australia’s leading health administrators and management practitioners, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Royal College of Physicians (RACP). The College trains, educates and represents around 10,500 physicians (or specialists) and 4,000 trainees in Australia and New Zealand.

Making the announcement, RACP President, Professor Geoffrey Metz said Dr Alexander’s selection was indicative of “an era of renewed vigour and relevance for the College.”

“The vital role played by the RACP in vocational training, professional development, advocacy and public health policy is long standing but often understated,” Professor Metz said.

“Dr Alexander’s leadership will further energise the RACP and highlight the contribution it makes to the lives of patients in Australia, New Zealand and, indeed, around the world.

Dr Alexander comes to the RACP after almost five years as CEO of the Australian Institute of Management (NSW & ACT). She is a registered medical practitioner with degrees in health planning and commerce.

The RACP will benefit from Dr Alexander’s 30-year career in the health industry, including roles in medical administration, general management, management development and leadership.

Dr Alexander has been Medical Director and Deputy CEO of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, General Superintendent (CEO) of Westmead Hospital and Community Health Services and has served as a non- executive director on various boards, including the NSW Medical Board, Medibank Private, the Health Insurance Commission and Health Communication Network.

Before joining the Australian Institute of Management in 2004, Dr Alexander was CEO of the Health Leader’s Network (HLN), an initiative of the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Council (AHMAC) and the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

Dr Alexander’s commitment to medical education and professional development is a hallmark of her career and a passion she brings to her role with the RACP.

“I have long admired the RACP and its pivotal role in physician education in Australia and New Zealand. As well as being at the forefront of medical education, the RACP plays a pivotal role in health policy, influencing government and ultimately, the lives of patients,” Dr Alexander said.

Dr Alexander takes up her role with the RACP in April, though she has already put her mind to those issues she sees as key to role.

“I am looking forward to progressing the governance and medical education changes already underway at the RACP,” she said. “I am particularly interested in driving the RACP’s influence on medical workforce policy and the treatment of chronic illness.”

“The RACP boasts Fellows, Trainees and staff of the highest calibre and I’m delighted to be working with them all.”

In announcing the new appointment, Dr Metz also paid tribute to the foundation laid by outgoing CEO Dr Mel Miller.

“Dr Miller’s energy and vision for the RACP has laid the launch pad for the on-going growth of the RACP’s profile and impact on public health.”

AFOEM Trainee Survey

We have extended the closing date of the trainee survey titled: An Evaluation of AFOEM Training Program.

Our intentions are to seek feedback and comments on what is working and identifying areas of improvement. The survey is of course voluntary. We respect your wish to decline but highly value your responses. Please be aware that the survey is anonymous and any potential identifying information will be treated in strict confidence and de-identified for final results and reports (to be presented at 2009 ATM).

The survey should take 15-25 minutes to complete and it does not have to be done all at once. You may exit and return back to the survey at any time.

Many trainees have already completed the survey and we would like to thank you for your time and effort.

Click here to begin the survey.

Call For Abstracts

Ramazzini

• Trainees who intend to present their research project in the 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting are reminded to submit their abstracts to the Faculty by the end of January.

Physicians Week

• Deadline for Physicians Week abstract submission has been extended till Feburary 13, 2009

Mentoring Awards

The RACP Excellence in Mentoring Awards were established by the College Trainees' Committee in 2008, with the inaugural awards being presented by the President at the Congress Dinner. The purpose of the Excellence in Mentoring Awards is to promote and publicise the important role of mentoring in trainees' personal and professional development, and to formally recognise the contribution mentors provide to the College.

All Fellows and registered trainees in Australia and New Zealand are invited to nominate a mentor and detail the contribution the mentor has made to the trainee's personal or professional development. Any Fellow of the College can be nominated for an award, including those previously nominated. A maximum of one award will be made in each of the following categories this year:

• Academic and Research;
• Clinical and Professional Practice (Fellows with no formal teaching title within the College);
• Rural;
• Physician Educators (Fellows with a formal teaching role in the College).

Each award consists of full Congress registration, attendance at the Congress Dinner, economy return airfares, accommodation on the night of the dinner and a formal presentation of a plaque at the dinner.

I would like to encourage Fellows and trainees to nominate those who have made an outstanding contribution to mentoring or who have provided a high level of support and guidance throughout training.

The nomination criteria and nomination form can be found on the website.

Nominations close 27 February 2009.

Senate Select Committee On Men's Health

The Senate has established a Select Committee on Men's Health to inquire into general issues related to the availability and effectiveness of education, supports and services for men’s health. The College has been invited to make a submission to the inquiry.

In particular, the committee will investigate the:

• level of Commonwealth, state and other funding addressing men’s health, particularly prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and depression,
• adequacy of existing education and awareness campaigns regarding men’s health for both men and the wider community,
• prevailing attitudes of men towards their own health and sense of wellbeing and how these are affecting men’s health in general, and
• extent, funding and adequacy for treatment services and general support programs for men’s health in metropolitan, rural, regional and remote areas.

We would greatly appreciate your comments and advice on any aspect of these terms of reference to assist in the formulation of a comprehensive submission on behalf of the College that includes input from the broad range of specialties.

Please forward any comments on these issues to Karen Steadman by February 9th.

National Primary Health Care Strategy Discussion Paper

Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy.

In June 2008 the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon, MP, announced that the Rudd Government would develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy to better tackle the health challenges of the 21st century and make sure that families can get the health care they need.

The Strategy will form a roadmap for the future direction of primary health care in Australia. The development of the Strategy is being undertaken by the Department of Health and Ageing with the assistance of an External Reference Group chaired by Dr Tony Hobbs.

As a first step in developing the Strategy, the Minister launched a Discussion Paper entitled 'Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy: A Discussion Paper from the Australian Government' which sets out a range of issues for stakeholder consultation, including:

• access issues;
• patient centred care;
• a greater focus on prevention;
• safety and quality;
• information management;
• workforce shortages; and
• fiscal sustainability.

Download the full paper

You will note that each chapter closes with questions for consideration. If you would like to comment on these, or other issues regarding the strategy, please submit your suggestions to Karen Steadman by 18th February, 2009.

Other details regarding the process can be found at health.gov.au/primaryhealthstrategy.

Menzies School Of Health Research Scholarships

The Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) in Darwin is offering:

1. A limited number of PhD scholarships for a period of 1-3 years at an equivalent level to that of the NHMRC, and
2. The Bachelor Scholarship for Honours and Mastersby Research for 1 year.

Menzies are seeking applicants who are interested in study that aligns with any of the six key research areas and/or topics identified below:

• Child health
• Healing and resilience
• Preventable chronic diseases
• International health
• Infectious and tropical diseases
• Services, systems and society

Further details are available on the Faculty website: Media & News > News & Announcments