Referring to the election of Medical Council members from the Academy, the letter containing the ballot paper and relevant documents for the postal ballot has been posted to you.  Please be reminded to follow the instructions and return your ballot paper which should be received by the Academy on or before 5pm of 24 August 2018.

The Candidate Forum was successfully held on 25 July.  The three candidates expressed their stances on various issues and answered questions from other Fellows.  You may view the video recording of the Forum available on our iCMECPD platform. 

Please follow the steps below to view the video:

1. Login to iCMECPD: www.icmecpd.hk
2. Choose “CME/CPD” → “CMe-Learning” → “CME without Quiz”
   
3. Click on the new event named “Election for HKAM's Two Additional Seats in MCHK - Candidate Forum”

It has been a year since Professor Sir David Todd, the Founding President of the Academy, passed away on 16 August 2017. He was an inspiration to many of us in the profession and guided the Academy through its formative years. His spirit and visions will forever remain the foundations of this organisation.

Professor Sir David Todd – A Visionary Medical Gentleman

A memorial book for Professor Sir David Todd was produced last year. Fellows who still wish to get the book 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 for a complimentary copy. The books are available while stock lasts.

The Membership of the Academy’s YFC, which comprises representatives from 15 specialty Colleges, operates on a one-year term. The new term has started since 1 July 2018. The Academy would like to thank all former members for their contributions and hopes that they would continue to support the Academy and its work in their own capacity.

Please click here for the membership of the current term.

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].

To celebrate our 25^th anniversary, the Academy is collaborating with the Radio Television Hong Kong to produce a 20-episode series of programmes providing information related to different specialties.  The Academy and its Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Innovative Learning Centre for Medicine, together with the 15 specialty Colleges, will participate in this special series.

The HKAM Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament has been concluded with the semi-final and final game held at the HKU Lindsay Ride Sports Centre Complex on 4 August and 11 August 2018 respectively. The Free Throw and 3-Point Shooting Contest were also held on those two Saturdays.

Results of the tournament:

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks all the Colleges and teams for participating in the tournament!

More details about the match results are available on our website (http://hkam25.hkam.org.hk/2018-intercollegiate-basketball-tournament).

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

The Academy is in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health to organise the “Support to enact a total ban on e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products” Signatory Campaign.  We would like to gather public support to urge the Government to impose a total ban on e-cigarettes and Heat-Not-Burn tobacco products to safeguard public health.  Fellows are invited to show your support on the online signatory platform (www.smokefree.hk/support) and also spread this message to families, friends and colleagues.

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 1-2 December 2018. 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 3-4 and 10-11 November 2018; and 2-3 and 9-10 March 2019 respectively.

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

New Website, New Look!

The HKJCDPRI is excited to launch its newly designed website! A range of new features including a Resources Centre that provides the audience with a walk through of the HKJCDPRI’s disaster-related information and learning resources can be found there. More easily accessible news and updates on upcoming events, training and research, community engagement events as well as other institutional developments are available.

Stay tuned to the website (www.hkjcdpri.org.hk) and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hkjcdpri) for more updates!

A FREE E-Learning module “Core Public Health Concepts for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management” is now available!

This course will introduce the basic concepts of health and public health and core principles for public health practice. These core concepts and principles are fundamental for developing and implementing health interventions in health emergency and disaster risk management at global level. In this course, public health practice is categorised into three major domains: health protection, health promotion and health service provision.

The target audience is individuals studying and working in health, policy, education and humanitarian sectors or postgraduate students of closely-related disciplines.

To learn more about the e-learning module and to register, please visit: http://www.hkjcdpri.org.hk/d05-1-core-public-health-concepts-health-emergency-and-disaster-risk-management

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
Ambulance use affects timely emergency treatment of acute ischaemic stroke It is essential for acute ischaemic stroke patients to be treated within a 4.5-hour therapeutic window. Patients who call an ambulance are more likely to receive a consultation in the emergency department within this window than those who use other forms of transport, report KK Lau et al. The authors recommend that the public are educated to promptly call the emergency services after suffering a stroke. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Aug;24(4):335–9 | Epub 30 Jul 2018	Image: Hong Kong FSD; ©2018 Government of HK SAR
Original Article
Multidrug-resistant organism carriage among residents from residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong: a prevalence survey with stratified cluster sampling Multidrug-resistant organisms are a global emerging health threat. A survey by H Chen et al revealed a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, among residents of care homes for the elderly. Enhancements to infection control, such as early isolation or cohorting, and improved hygiene practices, such as hand washing and disinfection of frequented areas are recommended. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Aug;24(4):350–60 | Epub 30 Jul 2018	Image: NIH NIAID; CC BY 2.0
Review Article
Palliative care: the need of the modern era Despite advances in modern medicine, many patients with terminal illnesses suffer significantly. The purpose of palliative care is to relieve suffering in these patients. In this review, KS Chan explores the paradigm shift that palliative care brings about, from biomedical to biopsychospiritual care, and urges improvements to palliative care policy in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Aug;24(4):391–9 | Epub 30 Jul 2018	Image: Nick Youngson; CC BY-SA 3.0
CME   Medical Practice
Guidance on the management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Hong Kong: an expert panel consensus viewpoint Familial hypercholesterolaemia is characterised by elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This common inherited disorder carries an increased risk of premature development of cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease; however, it remains underdiagnosed in Hong Kong. Brian Tomlinson et al present a consensus statement to improve awareness, early identification, and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Aug;24(4):408–15	Image: Irfansevket2905; CC BY-SA 4.0
CME   Medical Practice
Joint recommendations on management of anaemia in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding in Hong Kong Demand in Hong Kong for blood products is growing unsustainably, increasing by 34% between 2006 and 2016. The ageing population is exacerbating the problem, and the donation rate is not keeping up with demand. Anaemia associated with gastrointestinal bleeding is the leading indication for transfusion. This joint position statement from the Hong Kong Society of Gastroenterology, the Hong Kong Society of Digestive Endoscopy, the Hong Kong IBD Society, and the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service outlines recommendations for transfusions for management of anaemia in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Aug;24(4):416–22	Image: César Astudillo; CC BY 2.0

The delegation led by Vice President Prof. Lunxu Liu from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University paid a visit to the Academy on 26 July 2018. Academy President Prof. C.S. Lau was present and participants exchanged experience on specialist training as well as training on disaster preparedness and response. The delegation also visited the HKJC ILCM.

Visit to the Greater Bay Area, 6-8 August 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau joined the HKSAR delegation led by the Secretary for Food and Health Prof. Sophia Chan to visit the Greater Bay Area (Guangzhou, Zhongshan and Shenzhen).  Prof. Lau also shared the Academy’s experience on specialist training of family physicians and its work to support the standardisation of specialist training system in mainland China at a forum co-organised by Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province and Food and Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government on 6 August.

52^nd Malaysia-Singapore Congress of Medicine, 27-29 July 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau and Council members attended the Congress, entitled “Battling Cancer – What is Your Role?” in Kuala Lumpur, co-organised by the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM) and the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (AMS) . Editor Prof. Martin Wong and an Academy Fellow and radiologist Dr. K.O. Lam were invited to speak on topics around the main theme.

Prof. C.S. Lau appraised the great achievements of the new fellows admitted by the AMM at the conferment ceremony. Some of the Academy’s Officers and Council members were conferred the AMM’s fellowship. The delegation also joined the Presidential Dinner at which one of the highlights was to raise awareness about hepatitis B through the Jade Ribbon Campaign.

The three academies also took the opportunity to update each other on their latest developments at the Joint Council Meeting. The organisation of the 4th AMM-AMS-HKAM Tripartite Congress to be held by the Academy in Hong Kong was also mentioned.

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 or enquiry.

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

For the period from 12 August 2018 to 19 August 2018, Fellows may purchase discounted mooncake coupons only at the Academy Lounge. The counter will be open at 12:00 nn - 6:00 p.m. This offer is only valid for purchase with your credit card (Visa / MasterCard) in person on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Click here for the variety of mooncakes*

*50 boxes of the most popular Lava Custard Mooncake will also be available but will be limited to 2 boxes per Fellow. You may be required to present your valid Fellowship card upon purchase.

Fellows could now enjoy exclusive 20% off Mid-Autumn mooncakes and hampers, which are offered by Island Shangri-La again this year. Details could be found here.

Fellows can place order(s) by completing and returning an order form to the hotel directly. 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 Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine (HKCEM) will be organising the Advanced Disaster Response Course (ADRC) on 29 September, 20 October and 24 November 2018.

The ADRC is organised for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI).  This three-day course will start in September 2018.  Distinguished overseas speakers from the UK and New Zealand will share on the topics of Disaster Leadership, Community Engagement and Business Continuity in Disaster

• Website
• Poster

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.

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].

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

• EMA's PRAC recommends restricting use of prostate cancer medicine Xofigo
• Darunavir boosted with cobicistat: avoid use in pregnancy due to risk of treatment failure and maternal-to-child transmission of HIV-1
• Eltrombopag (Revolade): reports of interference with bilirubin and creatinine test results
• Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors -Assessing the potential risk of inflammation of the pancreas (acute and chronic pancreatitis)
• Remicade (infliximab) - Assessing the potential risk of a blistering skin condition known as linear IgA bullous dermatosis
• Updates on the recall of valsartan-containing products
• Azithromycin: FDA warns about increased risk of cancer relapse with long-term use of Azithromycin after donor stem cell transplant
• Oral prednisone and prednisolone (glucocorticoids) -Assessing the potential risk of a serious complication called scleroderma renal crisis in patients with systemic sclerosis

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)