Since there are three candidates running for the Academy’s two additional seats in the Medical Council of Hong Kong, an election will be conducted by postal ballot according to the Academy’s election procedures.

Before the postal ballot begins on 30 July 2018, a Candidate Forum will be organised on 25 July 2018 for the three candidates to express their positions on various issues. It will also provide the chance for you as a Fellow to meet the candidates and ask questions before casting your important votes. Please mark your calendar and participate. The details of the Forum are as follows:

The Forum is open to Academy Fellows only.

Please register online at the below link on or before 23 July 2018:
http://page.hkam.org.hk/CandidateForum201807

A total of 122 new Fellows were admitted at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 21 June 2018.

The Academy congratulates the following distinguished Fellows, who were recognised with honours on the HKSAR Establishment Day (1 July 2018).

Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM)
Professor YOUNG Rosie T.T., GBM, GBS, JP (Hong Kong College of Physicians)

Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS)
Professor YUEN Kwok-yung, GBS, SBS, JP (The Hong Kong College of Pathologists and The College of Surgeons of Hong Kong)

Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS)
Dr. LAI Kit-lim, Cindy, BBS, JP (Hong Kong College of Community Medicine)
Dr. LEUNG Ming-kuen, Pamela, BBS, JP (Hong Kong College of Community Medicine and The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists)
Dr. IP Lai-sheung, Patricia, BBS (Hong Kong College of Paediatricians)
Dr. LUI Siu-fai, BBS, MH, JP (Hong Kong College of Physicians)

Medal of Honour (MH)
Dr. TSUI Fuk-sun, Michael, MH (College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong)
Professor LAM Lo-kuen, Cindy, MH, JP (The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians)
Dr. CHAN Kwok-ki, MH (The College of Surgeons of Hong Kong)

Justices of the Peace (JP)
Professor YUNG Shu-hang, Patrick, JP (The Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
Professor LAU Chak-sing, Wallace, JP (Hong Kong College of Physicians)

The Academy is delighted to share that the most recent (2017) Impact Factor for the Hong Kong Medical Journal (HKMJ) is 1.226 (according to the latest Journal Citation Reports released in June 2018), which represents a 10% increase when compared with its previous impact factor (1.111).

The Academy would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the excellent contributions of all authors, editorial board members (past and present, local and international), reviewers and editorial office for the past many years. In particular, the Academy wishes to send appreciation to Fellows who have dedicated to the HKMJ’s development by submitting their innovative and excellent articles, providing a useful source of medical information on advances in medical research and clinical practice.

Since its inception, the HKMJ has been serving readers by providing high-quality research and review articles reflecting the current practice in the science and art of medicine and public health. To continue upgrading the journal with growing prestige and quality, the HKMJ looks forward to Fellows' submissions and relentless support in the future!

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

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

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.

Halnan Lecture

David Todd Oration

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

Call for abstracts: 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].

The Academy is hosting the first intercollegiate basketball tournament from 30 June to 11 August 2018 (every Saturday). The Opening Ceremony was held before the first game on 30 June 2018 at the South Island School. Vice-President (General Affairs) Dr. C.C. Lau delivered a welcome speech and officiated at the ceremony.  The list of participating teams, game schedule and other details are available on our website (http://hkam25.hkam.org.hk/2018-intercollegiate-basketball-tournament). Come join us to cheer for the teams! 

The HKAM and Medical Alumni Golf Tournament 2018 is scheduled on 3 October 2018 (Wednesday) at the Hong Kong Golf Club (Fanling) - Eden Course.

Details and registration: https://www.hkamonline.hk/golf2018

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 and the College have lost contact with the following Fellow and need your assistance in locating him.  If you happen to know his whereabouts, please contact the Academy Secretariat by telephone (852) 2871 8888, fax (852) 2505 5577 or email [email protected], or ask the Fellow concerned to contact us directly.

Name: LING, Cho Feng Francis 
College: Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

IMS Advanced Debriefing Course, 17, 19 -21 June 2018
Delivered by 4 expert faculties on medical simulation education from the Center for Medical Simulation, Boston, the 4-day IMS Advanced Debriefing Course (ADC) was successfully and smoothly run in mid-June 2018 for the HKJC ILCM.  The ADC was participated by 23 healthcare professionals actively involved in medical simulation consisting of staff from different specialties in Hospital Authority, fellows of different Colleges, medical and nursing educators and our overseas counterpart from Sydney.

With an emphasis on debriefing skills, this highly intensive and interactive Course is designed to enhance and extend instructional techniques. Despite a tiring journey, all participants have found the Course rewarding and worth attending which will benefit themselves personally and at work.

HKJC ILCM Upcoming Courses:

For details of the above courses, please visit ILCM website at www.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 21-22 July 2018 and 1-2 December 2018 separately. The primary audience is healthcare professionals who would like to start simulation-based teaching in their field.

For more details of the course, please visit here.

Comprehensive Simulation Educator Course
The Comprehensive Simulation Educator Course (CSEC) aims to provide the essential knowledge, and develop learners’ competence, in planning a simulation-based education activity, scenario development, direction, execution and debriefing methods. This course will enable the participants to have an understanding of the basic concepts of learner-centred education.

Different types of simulators and simulation techniques, and their respective applications will be covered to provide the participants with the resources for their teaching purposes. At the end of the course, the participants will have the basic knowledge and skill to plan and run a simulation-based training course, develop the necessary training material, direct a scenario and debrief the learners on the learning objectives. The course also intends to cultivate interest and passion in simulation-based education, and learners are provided with different methods to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills in simulation-based education.
The coming batches of this 4-day course will be held on 18-19 and 25-26 August 2018; and 3-4 and 10-11 November 2018 respectively.

For details and application, please kindly visit HKJC ILCM website at www.hkjcilcm.hk

Demand notes for the 2018 subscriptions have been sent to Fellows in January 2018. Fellows who have not settled their subscription before 30 June should have received a demand note for subscription and surcharge. 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

Latest articles available at www.hkmj.org:

Original Article
Outcomes of salvage radiotherapy for recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy Better biochemical progression-free survival after salvage radiotherapy can be achieved through higher radiation doses and better selection of patients, based on a recent study by Eric KC Lee et al. Distant metastasis is more likely to occur in patients with extracapsular extension, patients who cannot achieve biochemical complete response, and patients who develop biochemical progression within 1 year of salvage radiotherapy. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Jun;24(3):218–25 | Epub 21 May 2018	Image: HKAM Press
Original Article
Hypospadias surgery in children: improved service model of enhanced recovery pathway and dedicated surgical team A retrospective study by YS Wong et al on consecutive children who underwent primary hypospadias repair from January 2006 to August 2016 showed shorter hospital stay, less early morbidity, and a lower operative failure rate under the new service with those under the old one. Of the new service cohort, nearly 90% of patients successfully completed the enhanced recovery pathway. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Jun;24(3):238–44 | Epub 21 May 2018	Image: HKAM Press
Original Article
Clinical and biochemical characteristics of infants with prolonged neonatal jaundice A stepwise approach is recommended, in which full liver function is checked and the underlying cause of jaundice is investigated only after confirming cholestasis, according to a report by Sylvia LY Siu et al. During the 8-month study period from 8 July 2015 to 8 March 2016, 16 out of 1164 (1.4%) infants had conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. In total, 59 infants had elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Jun;24(3):270–6 | Epub 25 May 2018
CME   Review Article
The effects of global warming on allergic diseases Global warming is a public health emergency. Alson WM Chan et al overviews the close correlation between global warming, air pollution, and allergic diseases, as well as the sea warming effect on food chain and biodiversity. Lifestyle and behavioural changes should be advocated at the individual level by focusing on low carbon living; avoiding food wastage; and implementing the 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, and replace principles. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Jun;24(3):277–84 | Epub 29 May 2018
CME   Review Article
Jaundice in infants and children: causes, diagnosis and management Jaundice is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. The presentation in infants and children can be indicative of self-limiting to potentially life-threatening conditions. YY Chee et al review the common medical and surgical causes in children and discuss their diagnosis and management. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Jun;24(3):285–92 | Epub 21 May 2018	Image: HKAM Press
Volume 24 Issue 3 Supplement 3, 2018 Health and Health Services Research Fund Research Dissemination Reports
Dissemination reports are concise informative reports of health-related research supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund (and its predecessor funds) administered by the Food and Health Bureau. In this edition, we present 13 dissemination reports of projects related to clinical genetics, neurology, and reference values, biomarkers and diagnostics. In particular, three projects are highlighted due to their potentially significant findings, impact on healthcare delivery and practice, and/or contribution to health policy formulation in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Medical Association held a joint press conference on 19 June urging the Government to impose a total ban on electronic cigarettes and other new tobacco products. The medical organisations and faculties stressed the possible substantial harms on children and young people caused by new or unknown toxins from the products.

Press release

The Academy and Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) have developed the partnership since 2013 to build up international network and enrich professional development in the domain of medical simulation.  The two parties have recently extended the agreement to continue the collaboration. The Academy is designated as an Alliance Member of the CMS. The signing ceremony was held on 20 June 2018 with the participation of the Academy’s Officers, Honorary Director of the HKJCILCM Dr. P.P. Chen and CMS Faculty members.

Annual Scientific Meeting of the Hong Kong Geriatrics Society, 9 June 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau attended the opening ceremony of the ASM, entitled “New Horizons in Geriatric Therapeutics: From Evidence to Practice”. The meeting provided a platform for discussing issues and challenges of caring for elderly people.

30^th Anniversary Ceremony, The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 9 June 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau attended the ceremony as a platform guest and shared the happiness with the newly admitted College Fellows whose outstanding achievements were recognized.

Inauguration Ceremony of the Hong Kong Elderly Welfare Foundation – Nocturia Academy cum Launch of Nocturia Academy App, 10 June 2018
Vice-President (Education and Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung attended the ceremony of the Foundation’s Nocturia Academy and launch of its app as a stage guest. The Academy is committed to raising the awareness of healthcare professionals and the public towards the impact of nocturia on sleep disruption and its implications on health.

The Hong Kong Primary Care Conference, 23 June 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau and Vice-President (Education and Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung attended the conference, entitled “Family Physician – Nexus of the New Era of Primary Care” organised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians. The conference was well attended by family physicians and allied health professionals.

31^st Fellowship Conferment Ceremony of the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians and the 29^th Dr. Sun Yat Sen Oration, 24 June 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau and Vice-President (Education and Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung offered the newly admitted College Fellows his heartfelt congratulations on their remarkable achievements and wished them all the best for their professional career at the conferment ceremony.

Joint Annual Dinner for the Hong Kong Public Doctors’ Association and Government Doctors’ Association, 26 June 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau, Vice-President (Education and Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung, Honorary Treasurer Dr. Y.F. Chow and some Academy’s Council members attended the joint dinner. The dinner provided a good opportunity to network with the medical fraternity.

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.

The Academy offers a wide range of venues suitable for meetings, conferences and your special occasions of different scales. Onsite logistical and technical support, event planning as well as catering services are also available. Please click here for details.

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.

Try our special menu which is available at the Academy Lounge during July and August 2018

Click here for the menu

For enquiries: 2871 8819

Fellows can now get free birthday desserts for organising lunch or dinner parties at the Academy Lounge. Each Fellow would be entitled to this offer once during his / her birthday month every year.

Chinese menu: Chinese birthday buns for up to 6 tables of 10-12 guests each

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

Fellows could now enjoy exclusive 20% off Mid-Autumn mooncakes and hampers, which are offered by Island Shangri-La again this year. Fellows can place order(s) by completing and returning an order form to the hotel directly. Offer valid while stocks last. For enquiries, please contact the hotel at 2820 8319.

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.

The College of Pathologists has released a new issue of Topical Update. Its title is "Antimicrobial resistance – a global health crisis" by Dr. Dominic Tsang and Dr. Christopher Lai. Interested Fellows please click the link below to view the document.

Topical Update

Organised by the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists, the HKCPsych International Mental Health Congress will be held on 14-16 December 2018 (Friday – Sunday) at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building. The theme of this Congress is “Changes and Opportunities beyond 25 Years”.

The congress aims to provide a platform for medical practitioners and other allied health professionals from the Asian regions and other parts of the world to share the latest advances and challenges in the field of mental health care.

• Pamphlet
• Poster
• Programme
• Registration (Early Bird Registration until 1 October 2018)

Pre-congress Workshop on Advanced Leadership and Management Skills

The Pre-congress workshops of the 2018 HKCPsych International Mental Health Congress will be held on 13 December 2018 (Thursday) at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building. The topic is on Advanced Leadership and Management Skills.

This one-day workshop will be conducted by Professor Dinesh Bhugra, President-Elect of the British Medical Association. The workshop is suitable for doctors at their mid- or advanced career who are taking leadership roles in their respective medical or related field.

• Pamphlet

Post-Congress Workshop On Psychotherapy with the Tavistock  and  Portman NHS Foundation Trust, UK

The Post-congress workshops of the 2018 HKCPsych International Mental Health Congress will be held on 16 December 2018 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building.  The topic is Psychotherapy with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

• Pamphlet

For details about the workshops and main congress, please visit http://www.psy2018.hk/ or Congress Secretariat at (852) 2559 9973 or via email to info@psy2018.hk.

The 52^nd Malaysia-Singapore Congress of Medicine, organised by the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and Academy of Medicine, Singapore, will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27-29 July 2018. The theme of this Congress will be “Battling Cancer – What is Your Role”. HKAM Fellows can enjoy special rates. Please click the below links for further information.

• Programme
• Registration
• Hotel reservation

Organised by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society and supported by the Academy, the Symposium on Cancer Challenge in Hong Kong will be held on 6 October 2018. With the theme “Sustainable Cancer Control Plan for Hong Kong”, the symposium aims to provide an opportunity for more professionals, academia and policy makers in Hong Kong to learn and deliberate on how we can develop a sustainable cancer control plan for Hong Kong. Please click here for the tentative programme.

The Academy of Experts (AoE) will run several Expert Witness training courses in Hong Kong in November 2018. The Academy is a supporting organisation for the courses. Fellows can enjoy special rates. Please click here for further details. All the registrations should be sent directly to the organiser by fax at (852) 3010 1269. For enquiry, please contact AoE directly at [email protected].

The Project Steering Committee on Standards for Ambulatory Facilities, set up by the Department of Health and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, has developed the Procedure-specific Standards for Day Procedure Centres - Haemodialysis.  The Procedure-specific Standards should be read with the Core Standards  for Day Procedure Centres.  The Core Standards and Procedure-specific Standards serve to provide guidance to the operators of day procedure centres and will be adopted as part of the regulatory standards when the statutory licensing system is implemented. They are subject to review as and when necessary.

• Procedure-specific Standards for Day Procedure Centres - Surgery and Anaesthesia & Sedation
• Procedure-specific Standards for Day Procedure Centres - Endoscopy
• Procedure-specific Standards for Day Procedure Centres - Dental Procedures
• Procedure-specific Standards for Day Procedure Centres – Haemodialysis (New)

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

• Denosumab (Xgeva) for giant cell tumour of bone: risk of clinically significant hypercalcaemia following discontinuation
• Denosumab (Xgeva) for advanced malignancies involving bone: study data show new primary malignancies reported more frequently compared to zoledronate
• Recall of five valsartan-containing products (6 Jul, 9 Jul)
• FDA reinforces safety information about serious low blood sugar levels and mental health side effects with fluoroquinolone antibiotics; requires label changes

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)