December 2010

The first Tripartite Congress of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM), Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM) and Academy of Medicine, Singapore (AMS) was held on 12-14 November 2010. It attracted over 300 participants from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries. Dr. the Honourable York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong SAR Government, graced the Opening Ceremony with his presence as Guest of Honour and delivered a short speech after officiating the opening of the Congress.

The Halnan Lecture (HKAM), entitled "Changing concepts on medical ethics", was delivered by Prof. Lee Kin-hung. Prof. EK Yeoh spoke on "Medicine - back to the future, beyond science" for the Tun Dr Ismail Oration (AMM). The Opening and lectures were followed by a welcome reception during which the masters and president of the three academies exchanged gifts to celebrate the collaboration. There was also singing performance by a local group of young doctors.

Councils of the three Academies had a joint Council meeting to share views and experience mainly on training and CME. It was unanimously agreed that the tripartite collaboration was a meaningful activity providing a vibrant and engaging platform for the exchange of knowledge, clinical experiences and fruitful discussion in post-graduate medical training and continuous professional development. Participants were all invited to attend the next Tripartite Congress to be hosted by AMS in Singapore in 2013.

The Congress successfully ended with a simple closing ceremony on 14 November, with prize presentation for the Best Young Investigator Award. This year's winner is Dr Colin Graham of Hong Kong.

Please click the link below to view pictures of the Congress. Kindly note that the photos will be removed from this website on 1 Jan 2011.

Photos at 12 Nov 2010, 13 Nov 2010, 13 Nov 2010 (Dinner), 14 Nov 2010.

Promoting Management of Tobacco Dependence

With full support from the Department of Health, Council formed an expert panel on promoting management of tobacco dependence. The Expert Panel is chaired by the Vice President (General Affairs) and consists of members from 15 Colleges. A Charter signing / adoption ceremony was held on 13 November 2010 during the Tripartite Congress. Presidents and representatives of all 15 Colleges were present at the ceremony to pledge their support for the move. The Secretary for Food & Health delivered a short speech during the ceremony, which was attended by the Director of Health, his colleagues, and about 150 local and overseas guests.

HA / HKAM Health Forum

The Hospital Authority and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine hosted a health forum with senior medical experts from Mainland China and Hong Kong on 19 November 2010 discussing future developments and the challenges ahead. The forum provided a good platform for medical experts to exchange opinions, thereby enhancing communications between the medical and professional organizations of the Mainland and Hong Kong. The forum has very positive influence on the medical reform, development and collaboration of Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Vice Minister Wang Guo-qiang of the Ministry of Health; Dr. the Hon. York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health; Mr. Anthony Wu, Chairman of the Hospital Authority; Dr. Leung Pak-yin, Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority; and Prof. Raymond Liang, President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine attended the forum.

Speakers at the forum included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Department of Health of Guangdong Province as well as Shanghai Hospital Development Center.

Academy Policy on Reduced Subscription Rates

Fellows are requested to note that reduced rates (retired, overseas) will be effective from the next subscription year after submission of an application. Eligible Fellows should therefore submit their applications before 31 December 2010 if they wish to enjoy the reduced rates in year 2011. For those who are aged over 65 as of 31 December 2010, reduced rates will be granted automatically, and they do not need to submit application. Details of the policy can be found in the Member's Area of the iCMECPD website (www.icmecpd.hk).

David Todd Oration/Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM and David Todd Oration will be held on 17 December 2010. The Academy is delighted to have Prof. Malik Peiris to speak on "Plagues past, present and future" at the Oration. Prof. Peiris is Chair Professor of Microbiology and Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science at The University of Hong Kong, and Scientific Director of HKU-Pasteur Research Centre.

An Annual Dinner will be held later that evening. Please find details in the programme below and download the registration form to reserve seats for the Annual Dinner.

Fellows should have received the Academy's Annual Report and AGM notice earlier.

• Programme and Annual Dinner Registration Form
• CME/CPD Accreditation for the Oration

CME/CPD Reminder

The current CME/CPD cycle for Academy Fellows will end on 31 December 2010. All Fellows who are on the Specialist Register (SR) of the Medical Council or Dental Council will need to fulfil the requirements of the Academy to remain on the SR. Fellows, except those exempted for CME/CPD due to retirement, are also required to fulfil the requirements to maintain the Academy Fellowship. Starting from 1 January 2008, no more than 75 points can be awarded for passive participation in a 3-year cycle. Fellows are reminded to make sure they will obtain the required number of CME/CPD points before the end of this year, and to catch up if the points they have obtained so far falls behind greatly of the requirements.

New CMECPD Guidelines

A revised set of CMECPD Guidelines has been approved and will become effective from the next cycle. Major changes are in Section 6, in which Fellows are strongly advised to maintain a balanced CMECPD profile with a mix of different activities, including 5 points in a cycle from activities in category 6.11 (Quality Assurance, Audits and Activities for Improvement of Patient/Medical Care) in order to capture the full benefit of different types of CMECPD activities. Fellows can download the new guidelines from the following link.

• Revised Principles and Guidelines on CME/CPD

Merry Christmas The Academy Secretariat will be closed at 3:00pm on 22 December (Winter Solstice) and 24 December (Christmas Eve) 2010. The Academy wishes all Fellows a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The Academy Lounge on 3/F will be closed at 3:00 pm on 24 December 2010 for private function.

The Second Joint International Conference of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) Theme : Brain, Behaviour and Mind 2010 Advancing Psychiatric Care in the East : Moving on - From Science to Service The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and The Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) invite you to join the Second Joint International Conference of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) on 11-13 December 2010 at Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. Enquiry: Tel: (852) 2871 8787 Fax: (852) 2871 8898 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.psychconference.org.hk

Hong Kong Medical Journal October 2010 issue is now available on the Journal's website <http://www.hkmj.org>. Highlights of this issue include:

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

• Ten-year review of epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment outcome of achalasia in a regional hospital in Hong Kong
• Impact of delayed graft function on renal function and graft survival in deceased kidney transplantation

CASE REPORT

• Infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey disease): a possible misdiagnosis as physical abuse

Online CME/CPD

Quizzes from the following Colleges are currently available at iCMECPD website for Fellows to study online for CME/CPD:

Please visit the CMe-Learning of iCMECPD website (www.icmecpd.hk) for the latest CME/CPD materials.

Upcoming Conference(s) / Symposium(s)