The Secretariat Office, Dining Room and Academy Lounge will be closed early on 22 and 24 December 2019.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2020.

The Phase II works of major maintenance and repair works on the external walls of the Academy building will be carried out in the first half year of 2020. Due to the works at main gate and parking entrance, the car park will be temporarily closed from 2 January 2020 to 17 February 2020. Very limited parking spaces will be available at forecourt, G/F during the closure period. The Academy will try best to make sure events held at the building would be affected as minimal as possible.

The Annual Report is now available on the Academy’s website.

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 2019 if they wish to enjoy the reduced rates in year 2020. For those who are aged over 65 as of 31 December 2019, reduced rates will be granted automatically, and they do not need to submit application. Details of the policy can be found in the Fellows' Area of the iCMECPD website (www.icmecpd.hk).

The current CME / CPD cycle for Academy Fellows will end on 31 December 2019. 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. 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.

A revised set of CME / CPD Guidelines has been approved and will become effective from the next cycle. Minor changes are in Section 10, in which the new Guidelines reflect the new requirement from Medical Council of Hong Kong for the Academy to provide information on CME / CPD of all Fellows after the end of cycle (instead of providing the information on those non-compliance cases only in the past). Fellows can download the new guidelines from the following link:

Revised Principles and Guidelines on CME / CPD

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

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.

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.

The 6^th MEC will be held on 30 May 2020, with the theme "Assessment in Postgraduate Medical Education". The one‐day conference features plenary lectures, symposia and workshops, given by renowned local and overseas speakers. Stay tuned to our e-News for more details about the programme and registration!

Latest articles available at www.hkmj.org

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is a useful tool for investigating infection in patients with sepsis in the emergency department. However, acute kidney injury caused by the contrast media is a major concern. In this study, YC Hsu and colleagues investigated the association between use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans and the risks of acute kidney injury and other adverse outcomes in patients with sepsis.

Over the past 40 years, in vitro fertilisation has steadily increased in popularity. In this Review Article, MW Lui and colleagues provide an overview of the current status of in vitro fertilisation in Hong Kong, and highlight some key unresolved issues.

Hong Kong Med J 2019 Dec;25(6):468–72 | Epub 4 Dec 2019

Assessment and diagnosis of dementia: a review for primary healthcare professionals
Dementia is a debilitating disease associated with aging, and is becoming increasingly prevalent and costly in aging populations. However, dementia remains underdiagnosed in the primary care setting. In this Review Article, K Lam and colleagues provide a comprehensive diagnostic approach that can be utilised by primary healthcare professionals. The authors use an example case to illustrate the approach, and emphasise differences and similarities that would facilitate a differential diagnosis.

Hong Kong Med J 2019 Dec;25(6):473–82 | Epub 4 Dec 2019

6th Hong Kong Neurological Congress cum 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of The Hong Kong Neurological Society

Scientific programme and abstracts for the 6th Hong Kong Neurological Congress cum 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of The Hong Kong Neurological Society, held on 9 to 10 November 2019.

HKJCDPRI recently published a series of useful and public health information in relation to large-scale social activities, including psychological support, first-aid tips, etc.. Please visit HKJCDPRI website for more details.

Comprehensive Simulation Educator Course (CSEC)
The CSEC intends to cultivate interest and passion in simulation-based education. Different types of simulators and simulation techniques will be applied. At the end of the course, participants will gain basic knowledge and essential skills in planning and running simulation-based training courses, developing training materials, facilitating scenario debriefing to maximise learning.

Debriefing Skills for Simulation Instructors Course (DSSIC)
This new competency-based DSSIC aims to develop learners’ skills in debriefing and feedback which are essential tools to ensure effective learning. Techniques commonly used in simulation training courses would be taught.

DSSIC is a two-day course. Targeted audience is healthcare professionals who plan and prepare for simulation-based teaching in respective fields.

For details of the above courses, please visit the ILCM website

Enquiries:
Tel: (852) 2871 8718
Email: [email protected]

The Workshop on Development of Best Practice Guidelines in Genetic and Genomic Medicine, organised by the newly established Professionalism and Ethics Committee (PEC), was successfully held on 2 November 2019 at the HKAM Jockey Club Building. Mr. Fong Ngai, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Health) of Food and Health Bureau, Dr. Libby Lee, Director (Strategy and Planning) of Hospital Authority, Dr. Brian Chung, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Ivan Lo, Consultant Clinical Geneticist of Department of Health gave informative and insightful presentations related to the field of genetics and genomics. The Academy’s Honorary Legal Advisor, Mr. Woody Chang, also shared his expertise by talking about the legal issues related to genetic medicine. Attendees from various specialties exchanged views and had fruitful discussion afterwards.

The Academy co-organised a career talk with Hospital Authority (HA) for medical interns, who are interested in 2020 / 2021 HA Resident Training Programme, at the Hospital Authority Building on 9 November 2019. Vice- President (Education & Examinations) Prof. Gilberto Leung attended the event as one of the speakers and shared the information related to postgraduate specialist training. The talk also highlighted the centrally-coordinated recruitment exercise for resident trainees.

Consultation sessions were available from 17 specialties, with representatives from HA and The Academy, providing more informative details to the interns after the presentations.

Organ Donation Day 2019 and the 50^th Anniversary of First Kidney Transplant in Hong Kong
President Prof. C.S. Lau attended the Organ Donation Day and the 50^th Anniversary of First Kidney Transplant in Hong Kong, organised by the Food and Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) on 9 November 2019. Prof. Lau joined as one of the VIP guests. The first kidney transplant was conducted by the Academy’s Past President Dr. C.H. Leong, the chief surgeon of the operation, in Hong Kong in 1969. The event also aimed at augmenting the efforts to promote organ donation in the community.

Officers attended the ceremonies as a platform guest and shared the happiness with the newly admitted College Fellows whose outstanding achievements were recognised.

The Joint Conferment Ceremony of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and The Hong Kong College of Otorhinolaryngologists attended by President Prof. C.S. Lau on 9 November 2019.

The Royal College of Radiologists & Hong Kong College of Radiologists: Nineteenth Joint Ceremonies for Admission of New Fellows attended by President Prof. C.S. Lau on 16 November 2019.

Social Subcommittee formed to connect Fellows

Online reservation is available now! You can scan the QR code or visit https://online.hkam.org.hk/yumcha to book a table.

L’hotel Island South
L’hotel Island South extends an exclusive offer of 10% discount off for Christmas Takeaway Lazy Package if you confirm a 7-day advance purchase!

You may also consider ordering a la carte upon your favorites from the Christmas Festive Takeaway Order menu.

For details about various discounts being offered, please refer to the eblasts on membership services included under Fellows’ section of the Academy’s website.

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.

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.

Anniversary, reunion and birthday offers
Celebrate your special moment or make your special gathering unforgettable by hosting a lunch or dinner at the Academy.  Fellows can now get a free celebratory item when dining at our venues for such occasions. Terms and conditions apply.

Make a booking enquiry online now.
Link: https://online.hkam.org.hk/form/BookingEnquiry

The Academy Lounge is a nicely decorated place with cosy atmosphere ideal for social occasions. The Lounge offers a menu of gourmet appetisers and drinks.

The annual practising certificates of doctors for the year 2019 will expire on 31 December 2019. Fellows are reminded to make timely application to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for renewal of their annual practising certificates for the year 2020 if they will be practising beyond the said expiry date.

The eHealth News delivers the latest development of Electronic Health Record Sharing (eHR Sharing). The most recent issue, highlighting various security measures applied to eHR Sharing System and cyber securities in healthcare, has already been published on Electronic Health Record Office website. Let’s explore more from the webpage!

• Detailed version of this issue (English | Chinese)

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

• Kyprolis (carfilzomib) and risk of progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy and Hepatitis B virus reactivation 
• Yellow fever vaccine: stronger precautions in people with weakened immunity and in those aged 60 years or older
• Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2019 to Regulate Advanced Therapy Products
• Some metformin medicines found to contain N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

A disease prevention video published by the Infection Control Branch of the Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health is also available below:

• Reminding Each Other to Keep Hands Clean at SCHOOL