This year marks the Silver Jubilee of the Academy. The anniversary slogan is “Medical Excellence for a Healthy Future”, which conveys our mission to upholding medical professionalism and nurturing young leaders for better healthcare. A series of celebratory events will be held during the year.

On 26 February 2018, the Academy kicked off its 25^th anniversary celebrations at a ceremony officiated by Prof. Sophia Chan, JP, Secretary for Food and Health of the Government of the HKSAR. A spring luncheon with the media, attended by President Prof. C.S. Lau; Chairman of the 25^th Anniversary Organising Committee Dr. C.C. Lau; Council Members; as well as representatives of the Academy Colleges, followed.

Central to the luncheon event was an extensive discussion on the challenges surrounding organ donation, in which the troubling disparity between the expertise Hong Kong possesses in transplant surgery and the lack of available donor organs was elaborated upon. To address this critical health issue, the Academy renewed its commitment to advance clinical excellence in organ transplantation and promote public awareness of organ donation to make a real difference in the lives of patients in need.

Representatives from the Academy, Hong Kong College of Community Medicine, College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong, Hong Kong College of Physicians, and The College of Surgeons of Hong Kong discussed the current situation, technology and difficulties of organ transplantation in Hong Kong at the panel session.

The Academy launched the commemorative website (http://hkam25.hkam.org.hk). Please visit the website for details of the exciting celebratory activities.

The Academy is organising the 4^th Medical Education Conference (MEC) on 5 May 2018. The theme of this year’s conference is “Cultivating Professionalism and Research in Medical Education”. The one-day Conference features plenary lectures, symposia and workshops, delivered by renowned local and overseas speakers such as Prof. Sir Terence Stephenson, Chair, General Medical Council, UK and Dr. Peter Angood, CEO and President, American Association of Physician Leadership, USA.

• Conference Details
• Registration

The finale 25^th Anniversary Congress, with the theme “Beyond 25: New Paradigms in Healthcare”, will be held on 7-9 December 2018. The Congress will serve as an excellent platform for local and international healthcare leaders and experts to share views on medical advances, innovative technologies and challenges across different specialties. Details about the provisional programme can be found at the Congress website http://page.hkam.org.hk/25Congress. 

Register now: Register on or before 31 August 2018 at the early bird rate!

Submitting your abstract: The Congress welcomes the submission of abstracts around the main theme for oral or poster presentation on or before 15 September 2018.

For enquiries, please contact the Congress Secretariat at [email protected].

Your support and participation in the anniversary activities would make our anniversary memorable and meaningful. Please join us and be part of this auspicious occasion! For latest updates on the activities, please visit the anniversary commemorative website at http://hkam25.hkam.org.hk.

For enquiries, please contact the 25^th Anniversary Secretariat at [email protected].

The Academy welcomes the Government’s proposal to increase its expenditure on healthcare services, particularly in manpower training and dental services, as announced in the 2018-19 Budget by the Financial Secretary.  The Academy is pleased that the Government will allocate additional resources to enhance specialist and higher clinical training addressing the Academy’s earlier pledge to the Government on this matter.

Through the additional resources, the Academy hopes to drive proposals including a longitudinal study on training and service manpower needs of different medical and dental specialties, fostering simulation-based learning, and so on.  The Academy will continue to follow up with the Government and the Hospital Authority to implement the relevant plans.

Press release

In recent years, there is rising concern over the professional indemnity insurance, due to the recent change in indemnity policy of the towards obstetricians. The Young Fellows Chapter (YFC) of the Academy is holding a forum with an aim to introduce the concept of occurrence based versus claim based insurance, and the insurance products available in the market. A lawyer will also talk about different medico-legal issues such as the recent hottest topic, apology ordinance. Details are listed below.

Registration is free! Register now at http://page.hkam.org.hk/MedicalIndemnityForum. For enquiries, please contact the YFC at [email protected].

A conference jointly organised by the Academy, Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong and The University of Chicago Medicine will be held on 24 March 2018. Distinguished speakers from overseas and Hong Kong will discuss the future of transplantation with a focus on the ethical issues across Western and Chinese cultures. Please find more details here and register early.

A memorial book for Professor Sir David Todd was produced and distributed at the conferment ceremony held in last December.  Fellows may now come to the Academy Lounge on 3/F or the Secretariat Office on 10/F of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building to get a complimentary copy. The books are available until 29 March 2018, while stock lasts.

The Prize for Best Original Research by Trainees of the Academy recognises excellence in research done by doctors who are having specialist training. Submission deadline for the year 2018 award is 30 June 2018 (postmark). Interested trainee doctors please download the following documents for details.

• Information about Prize for Best Original Research by Trainee
• Abstract Form (PDF, Word)
• Sample Abstract

HKJC ILCM Upcoming Courses:

For details of the above courses, please visit ILCM website at hkjcilcm.hk
Enquiries: 2871 8718 or [email protected]

Course Highlights:

Debriefing Skills for Simulation Instructors Course (DSSIC)
This newly developed DSSIC aims to provide the essential knowledge and skills to develop learners’ competence in debriefing methods commonly used in simulation training courses. This course is suitable for those who wish to learn more about simulation-based learning and to apply the techniques of debriefing and feedback as a tool in teaching adult learners.

DSSIC is a two-day course and will be held at ILCM on 14-15 April 2018 (Saturday and Sunday). The primary audience would be healthcare professionals who would like to start simulation-based teaching in their field.

For more details of the course, please visit here.

Advanced Debriefing Course (ADC)
With an emphasis on debriefing skills, this course is designed to enhance and extend instructional techniques learned in the IMS Simulation Instructor Course. Using high-leverage methods from experiential learning and organizational psychology, this 4-day intensive immersion in debriefing, taught by senior faculties from Institute for Medical Simulation (IMS) / Harvard Medical School, uses extensive practice and feedback to help attendees become more reflective about their instructional practices.

The course is scheduled on 17 and 19 – 21 June 2018 (Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday) at HKJC ILCM for graduates of IMS Simulation Instructor Course (IMS Course) or ILCM Comprehensive Simulation Educator Course (CSEC).

Technology Enhances Early Warning for Landslides
An innovative landside early warning system with use of crowdsourcing and location-based GPS technology was tested out by the research team of the Department of Civil and Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI). The research project titled “Smart Landslide Information System” was completed in November 2017.

A hilly terrain and seasonal torrential rainfalls present Hong Kong with the ideal conditions for landslides. Smartphone-based tools have become powerful approaches for mitigating and preparing for disasters. Smartphone applications that rely on crowdsourcing have been developed. Data collected can then be used to enhance early-warning systems, and to help engineers better plan landslide management measures.

The Landslide Information System is one of the first mobile phone apps demonstrated to leverage crowdsourcing from mobile phones to enhance the scale and resolution of landslide information, such as GPS coordinates and photos. It is also one of the first mobile applications developed to demonstrate the collaborative efforts in sharing of risk information from the communities.

Read more about the research on HKJCDPRI’s website: http://www.hkjcdpri.org.hk/smart-landslide-information-system-%E2%80%93-hkjcdpri-research-grant-2016-final-report-0

Administrative interface

Demand notes for the 2018 subscriptions have been sent to Fellows in January 2018. Please settle the payment as soon
as possible.

Reminders:

1. All payments must be received by the Academy before 30 September.
According to Bylaw 6.4:
If a member's fee or any other moneys due by a member to the Academy is not received by the Academy within 9
months after such payment falls due, despite two written reminders by the Academy to pay, the member shall
automatically forfeit his membership.

2. It is Council's policy that late subscriptions received by the Academy after 30 June will be subject to a surcharge of 5% on the subscription amount.

3. For Fellows who have authorised payment via bank transfer/credit card, payments will be deducted from their bank
accounts or credit card automatically.

4. Fellows aged over 70, or have reached 70 before the beginning of the next subscription year, do not need to pay any
subscription and will not receive a debit note.

5. Fellows residing outside Hong Kong or have reached the age of 65 and have retired from all remunerative
practice/job/business must submit written applications for reduced rates before 31 December if they wish to enjoy the
reduced rates next year. For details, please visit http://www.hkam.org.hk/fellows_area/reduced_rate.pdf.

To facilitate more efficient payment procedures, the Academy has launched the credit card online payment service in mid-January 2018. Now, Fellows can save time and settle HKAM Fellowship annual subscriptions conveniently and quickly through online payment on the iCMECPD website.

What are the benefits?

• Save time and postage cost
• Settle annual subscription anytime, anywhere by using computer or mobile device
• Ensure your subscription can be settled on-time without delay
• Payment history and e-receipt are available anytime
• Go paperless to help the environment and reduce paperwork

How to get started?

Fellows can log into iCMECPD (https://www.icmecpd.hk/) and choose “Annual Subscription” under “Fellow’s Area” of the main menu to settle the payment.

Click HERE to read quick user guide

A new function "e-Receipt" on the iCMECPD website is now available.  Fellows who have settled the payment for 2018 subscription can login to iCMECPD (User's Corner > Receipt for Annual Subscription) to view and print their Annual Subscription receipts online. To reduce environmental impact, Fellows can indicate their preference in the debit note on whether to receive official receipt by post while settling the payment by cheque or Dah Sing HKAM Platinum Card.

Please note that the CME/CPD Principles & Guidelines for the cycle 2017-19 will remain unchanged, i.e. no more than 75 points can be awarded for passive participation in a 3-year cycle. Fellows are strongly advised to maintain a balanced CME/CPD profile with a mix of different activities, in order to capture the full benefit of different types of CME/CPD activities.

The document, Principles & Guidelines 2017-19, is available online here on the Academy website.

(Note: Individual Colleges will have their own set of guidelines based on what have been agreed at the Academy level. There may be specific rules or requirements that the Colleges determine to be relevant for their specialties.)

The Academy sometimes gets error messages when sending messages to Fellows' registered emails, which may be caused by full mailboxes, invalid addresses, etc. A valid email address is an essential detail for Fellows to gain access to iCMECPD account and view the CME/CPD profile. In order to help us maintain an up-to-date database, please keep us informed whenever there are changes to your email address, mailing address or contact number by logging into your account of iCMECPD (http://www.icmecpd.hk). Please also be reminded to keep your registered emails active by ensuring there is sufficient mailbox capacity.

To further enhance the online services for CME/CPD, the Academy has developed a mobile application for capturing attendance - iCMECPD App. It is now available at Apple's App Store and Google's Play. Fellows may download the App by scanning the respective QR code below (or search "icmecpd" from App Store/Google Play) and install it in their smartphone with operating system in iOS (8.0 or above) or Android (4.3 or above).

Starting from 2017, Fellows may capture their attendance by using the App to scan the QR code for CME/CPD activities held by the Academy/Colleges at the HKAM Jockey Club Building. The Academy has started liaising with organisers on pilot runs of the App for their activities to be held so that they will gradually use this paperless online accreditation application and attendance capture process from 2017 onward. In addition, briefing sessions will be conducted for organisers to further promote the App and the system.

iCMECPD App

February 2018 issue now available at www.hkmj.org

Highlights of the February 2018 issue:

Original Article
Characteristics and clinical outcomes of living renal donors in Hong Kong The overall surgical outcomes of living kidney donors have been good, especially after the introduction of keyhole surgery, conclude YL Hong et al in a review of renal donors. Relatives of patients who have end-stage kidney disease should be encouraged to consider the possibility of kidney donation. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Feb;24(1):11–7
Original Article
[CME] Implications of nipple discharge in Hong Kong Chinese women Blood-stained nipple discharge and an associated breast mass at presentation could indicate malignancy, according to an analysis by WM Kan et al. A period of watchful waiting is a reasonable alternative to surgical intervention in patients with inferred benign pathology. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Feb;24(1):18–24
Original Article
Injuries and envenomation by exotic pets in Hong Kong Most of the exotic pet bites that occurred in Hong Kong in the past decade or so came from reptiles, including venomous snakes. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the appropriate management of such injuries, advise Vember CH Ng et al. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Feb;24(1):48–55	Image: HKAM Press
Review Article
End-of-life services for older people in residential care homes in Hong Kong Respecting patients’ preferences for the dying process—such as pain and symptom control, dignity, privacy, and place of death—is key to achieving a ‘good death’. James KH Luk reviews the role of Hong Kong’s residential care homes in improving the quality of death. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Feb;24(1):63–7
Medical Practice
[CME] Emergency thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke: current evidence, international guidelines, and local clinical practice Restoring blood flow by mechanical clot removal (thrombectomy) has revolutionised treatment for acute ischaemic stroke. Anderson CO Tsang et al summarise the evidence and current guidelines for emergency thrombectomy and ask local clinicians about their experience and opinions of this new procedure. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Feb;24(1):73–80	Image: HKAM Press
Volume 24 Issue 1 Supplement 2, 2018 Health and Health Services Research Fund Health and Medical Research Fund Research Dissemination Reports
Published as a regular HKMJ Supplement, Research Dissemination Reports are concise informative reports of health-related research supported by funds administered by the HKSAR Food and Health Bureau. In this edition, 11 dissemination reports of projects related to neurology and health services research are presented. The reports provide an update on the latest research being conducted in Hong Kong and how the research findings have potential impact on health care delivery and practice, and health policy formulation in Hong Kong. http://www.hkmj.org/abstracts/v24 Suppl 2n/toc.htm	s

Spring Reception of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), 6 February 2018
Vice-President (Education and Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung joined the reception organised by the LOCPG of the HKSAR in celebration of the Year of the Dog with other distinguished guests and government officials.

Visit to Civil Defense Academy of Singapore, 21-22 February 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau joined a delegation led by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) of the Academy to visit the Civil Defence Academy of Singapore. During the visit, there were fruitful discussions on possible areas of collaboration between the Civil Defence Academy of Singapore and the HKJCDPRI.

Inauguration Ceremony of the Executive Committee of the Medical Society of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union (HKUSU), 28 February 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau attended the inauguration ceremony to witness the handover of the Executive Committee to the new cabinet of the Medical Society of the HKUSU. Their dedication to serving the medical students was praised.

Online reservation is available now! You can scan the QR code or visit https://www.hkamonline.hk/yumcha to book a table and enjoy our vast range of Cantonese dim sum at the Academy.

A wide range of well-designed, quality Academy gifts and accessories are available at the Academy Lounge. You may also place an order by completing and returning an order form to the Secretariat.

• Order Form

The Academy Lounge is a nicely decorated place with cosy atmosphere ideal for social occasions. The Lounge offers a menu of gourmet appetizers and drink specials, as well as BBQ menus.

Enjoy fresh Spring air and BBQ buffet at the Academy Fellows’ Garden!  Our chefs will grill hearty meats and seafood skewers at our outdoor BBQ counter in the Fellows’ Garden. The indoor buffet stations will feature a tasty assortment of starters and main courses. A wide selection of luscious desserts will be prepared to complete the feast.

Menu

Present your valid HKAM Fellowship card to enjoy 18% off semi-buffet lunch, buffet / a la carte dinner and holiday brunch. The offers are valid until 31 December 2018. Please click here for details.

Please note the following announcement from the Drug Office of Department of Health:

• Clarithromycin (Biaxin): FDA Drug Safety Communication - Potential increased risk of heart problems or death in patients with heart disease

The eHealth News is published to help people understand better the latest eHR development. The most recent issue of eHealth News has been published and is available at the Electronic Health Record (eHR) Office website:

• eHealth News (English | Chinese)