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
Branded versus generic drug use in chronic disease management in Hong Kong—perspectives of health care professionals and the general public In Hong Kong, drug expenditures in 2015 comprised 10% of the total expenditures of the Hospital Authority. Generic drugs are “bioequivalent”—they have the same active ingredients, dosage form, strength, and route of administration, with a similar efficacy and safety. In addition, generic drugs are also cheaper than branded products. However, as VWY Lee et al report, knowledge and perception of generic substitution remains low, even among health care professionals. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec;24(6):554–60 | Epub 3 Dec 2018	Image: US FDA
Original Article
Clinical and genetic profile of congenital long QT syndrome in Hong Kong: a 20-year experience in paediatrics Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a hereditary cardiac arrhythmia syndrome that can lead to sudden cardiac death in young people. SY Kwok et al report the clinical and genetic characteristics of all young patients diagnosed with LQTS at the Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Queen Mary Hospital—the only tertiary paediatric cardiology centre in Hong Kong. Their study confirms that early identification and treatment of LQTS can prevent subsequent cardiac events. The authors also recommend genotyping in patients with LQTS, which can guide treatment and improve prognosis. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec;24(6):561–70 | Epub 3 Dec 2018	Image: WikiMedia; Public Domain
Review Article
Epidemiology of myopia and prevention of myopia progression in children in East Asia: a review Myopia (short-sightedness) is very common in East Asia. These days, there are several options available for slowing myopia progression in children. These treatments are important to limit development of high myopia and associated vision-threatening complications. Treatments can be pharmacological (eg, eye drops) or optical (eg, specially-designed glasses or contact lenses); lifestyle modifications (eg, spending more time outdoors) are also effective. In this review, CY Mak et al examine the regional epidemiology of myopia and provide updated evidence regarding interventions to slow myopia progression in children. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec;24(6):602–9 | Epub 3 Dec 2018	Image: Gumenyuk I.S.; CC BY-SA 4.0
CME   Medical Practice
Medication overuse headache: strategies for prevention and treatment using a multidisciplinary approach Medication overuse headache affects patients who have migraines and frequent headaches. Medication overuse headache is often not recognised by primary care physicians or general practitioners, as patients may overuse medications that are freely available without a prescription. Overuse of codeine-containing analgesics is particularly problematic and contributes to ongoing morbidity and opioid-related mortality. M van Driel et al provide an overview of the detection, prevention, and management of medication overuse headache. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec;24(6):617–22	Image: pixabay; CC0 1.0
CME   Review Article
Group A Streptococcus disease in Hong Kong children: an overview Streptococcus pyogenes is the cause of many important human diseases, ranging from pharyngitis and mild superficial skin infections to life-threatening systemic diseases. TNH Leung et al review the diagnosis and treatment of Streptococcus infections, which typically begin in the throat, such as pharyngitis (strep throat), or the skin, such as skin infections (impetigo). More severe infections can be fatal, such as Scarlet fever, which is caused by a streptococcal toxin. Streptococcus pyogenes disease is readily treatable, as the organism is invariably sensitive to penicillin. Delayed treatment of this common childhood pathogen is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec;24(6):593–601 | Epub 9 Nov 2018	Image: CDC PHIL; Public Domain
Volume 24 Issue 5 Supplement 7, 2018 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of The Hong Kong Neurological Society Scientific programme and abstracts for the 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of The Hong Kong Neurological Society, held on 3 to 4 November 2018.
Volume 24 Issue 5 Supplement 8, 2018 Hong Kong Domestic Health Spending: Financial years 1989/90 to 2014/15 This report presents the latest estimates of Hong Kong domestic health spending for financial years 1989/90 to 2014/15, cross-stratified and categorised by financing scheme, function, and provider based on the guidelines in A System of Health Accounts 2011.

The Academy co-organised a Career Talk for interns with Hospital Authority (HA) on 17 November 2018 (Saturday) at the Hospital Authority Building featuring highlights from the centrally-coordinated recruitment exercise for resident trainees. Vice- President (Education & Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung attended the event and briefed the interns on postgraduate specialist training. After the presentations by the Prof Leung and the HA representative, 17 specialties were divided into two batches with representatives from HA and the Academy to answer enquiries from the interns. The Career Talk attracted over 150 interns and they were very enthusiastic about specialist training.

President of the Korean Academy of Medicine Sciences (KAMS) Prof. Chang Sung-goo visited Hong Kong and joined the anniversary celebration of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. Taking that opportunity, the Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with KAMS to promote academic collaboration and exchange in medical education between the two academies.

The Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) to continue the collaboration in medical education and specialist training during Vice President and Secretary General of CMA Prof. Rao Keqin’s stay at Hong Kong when attending the anniversary events of the Academy.

31^st Annual Scientific Meeting of The Hong Kong Neurological Society, 3 November 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau attended the opening ceremony of the annual scientific meeting of The Hong Kong Neurological Society. The meeting provided a platform for international clinicians and scientists to share cutting edge professional clinical knowledge and research findings.

Anniversary Dinner hosted by The Hong Kong Academy of Nursing, 3 November 2018
President Prof. C.S. Lau attended the Anniversary Dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing. It was an enjoyable occasion to meet a group of local healthcare leaders.

Conferment Ceremonies of the Academy Colleges

Officers offered the new College fellows heartfelt congratulations on their remarkable achievements and wished them all the best in their professional career at the conferment ceremonies.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and The Hong Kong College of Otorhinolaryngologists - Joint Conferment Ceremony, 10 November 2018

The Royal College of Radiologists and Hong Kong College of Radiologists - 18^th Joint Ceremonies for Admission of New Fellows, 17 November 2018

The Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists – 32^nd Congregation, 18 November 2018

The Hong Kong College of Pathologists - Conferment Ceremony, 24 November 2018

The College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong - Fellowship/Membership Conferment Ceremony, 25 November 2018

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.

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

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 Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (the Ordinance) was published in the Gazette on 30 November 2018 (accessible at: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20182248/es12018224834.pdf). The Ordinance provides for a new licensing scheme for private hospitals, day procedure centres (DPCs) and clinics. Please refer to the Annex on the scope of the Ordinance.

Phased Implementation
The licensing scheme will be implemented in phases, beginning with hospitals. The application period for hospital licences under the Ordinance will commence in mid-2019, followed by that for DPC licences in 2020. Depending on the progress of licensing of hospitals and DPCs, the application period for licences and letters of exemption in respect of clinics will commence in 2021 the earliest. As part of the transitional arrangements for the new regulatory regime, an operator of a DPC or a clinic which was in operation on 30 November 2018 will be issued with a provisional licence upon application for a full licence, provided that certain conditions are met. The provisional licence allows the DPC or clinic concerned to continue to operate under the new regulatory regime during the transitional period before the DPC or clinic is qualified for a full licence. Please refer to Division 4 of Part 9 of the Ordinance for details.

Briefings and Enquiries
The Department of Health will make announcements and organise briefings on the implementation of the new regime in the coming months. The Symposium on Healthcare Facilities Management 2019, to be held on 19 and 26 January 2019, will feature a session on the Ordinance. The latest announcements on details of the new regime (including a set of “Frequently Asked Questions”) and the Symposium can be accessed at https://www.dh.gov.hk/english/main/main_orphf/orphf_lic.html. For further enquiry, please contact us at 3107 2939 or [email protected].

To facilitate the public to search for primary care providers in the community, the Department of Health launched the Primary Care Directory (the Directory) in 2011, which is a web-based electronic database containing practice information and professional qualification of enrolled doctors, dentists and Chinese medicine practitioners.  Doctors listed in the Directory are eligible for enrolment in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and the Pilot Public-Private Partnership Programme on Smoking Cessation; as well as for joining the network of the upcoming Kwai Tsing District Health Centre to be set up by the Government. To maintain listing in the Directory, doctors have to fulfill the continuing medical education (CME) requirements.  For details, please click here and visit the website of the Directory.

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

• Hydrochlorothiazide: risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly in long-term use
• Systemic and inhaled fluoroquinolones: small increased risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection; advice for prescribing in high-risk patients
• Sildenafil (Revatio and Viagra): reports of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) following in-utero exposure in a clinical trial on intrauterine growth restriction
• FDA warns about severe worsening of multiple sclerosis after stopping the medicine Gilenya (fingolimod)
• FDA warns about rare but serious risks of stroke and blood vessel wall tears with multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)
• Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR TKIs) - Assessing the potential risk of abnormal structural changes of the artery walls including rupture (artery dissections and artery aneurysms)

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)