Wow, it’s June. How did that happen? Scary as it may be, we have achieved a lot already this year and, looking forward, it is go, go, go.
Vote to #getonBoard
There is still time to vote and reduce barriers to participation on the ACEM Board. The vote is open until 5:00pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 4 June 2019. If you are a FACEM and have not yet voted, do it now. Vote here. I really encourage everybody to #getonBoard.
After the vote has closed the College will communicate the result to all members and trainees as soon as possible – look out for these emails. We will also keep you informed via the College’s communication channels, including the Bulletin, Faculty Updates and social media.
Sustainable Workforce Survey
We have released our Sustainable Workforce Survey. This survey informs our understanding of the pressures shaping the emergency medicine workforce. This year’s survey looks at discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment and harassment behaviours, as well as fatigue, stressors, burnout and long-term career plans.
Complete the survey. The survey closes Sunday 14 July 2019.
ACEM events
It’s been a hectic schedule for me recently, and there is more to come.
The Winter Symposium last month was a raving success – thanks to everyone who made it to Rotorua. And hats off to the Organising Committee, speakers, ACEM staff and all involved who made it an event we will remember for years to come.
I head off to Wellington for our Mental Health in the Emergency Department Summit on Friday, 7 June. The Summit is the first step in a longer process of engagement and advocacy, with the aim to develop new policies and processes to support shorter stays in the emergency department for patients who present in a state of mental health crisis.
As soon as that finishes I am on a plane and off to Seoul, Korea, to attend the 18th International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM), to be hosted by the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. As a founding member of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, ACEM is committed to advancing emergency medical care around the world.
Following ICEM 2019, I then head to Tasmania to attend a highly anticipated Access Block Solutions Meeting where, with government, we must agree on immediate steps to improve the performance of Tasmania’s health system, focussing on leadership, accountability and reforms that support system-wide capacity building across community, emergency department and hospital services.
Wellbeing
Given the environments that we work in and what we face on a daily basis, it is vital that we look after ourselves and our colleagues, so I encourage you to get involved in two events.
A virtual fun run and walk will be held on Sunday, 2 June. An initiative of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP), the #DoctorDash campaign aims to promote the benefits of exercise and raise awareness for the good mental health of doctors, medical students, physiotherapists, nurses and allied health professionals. Find out more on the ACSEP website.
And then on Friday, 7 June make sure you don your craziest socks for #CrazySocks4Docs. The brainchild of Dr Geoff Toogood, the day aims to raise awareness of the mental health of all doctors and health practitioners around the world. Check out more information online.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) will host a stakeholder forum in Melbourne on Tuesday, 25 June to address proposed new professional development requirements, changes to mandatory reporting and revisions to the Good Practice Guidelines for the Specialist International Medical Graduate Assessment Process.
Dr Alex Markwell, ACEM’s CPD Committee chair, will attend this event, along with ACEM staff. ACEM has been actively working with the MBA to ensure the best outcomes for its members, and the College looks forward to keeping you informed of developments.
Your ED
Like any member-based organisation, engagement with members is key. ACEM has a strong record in this field – we engage with members through various communications channels such as our website, social media, and we produce e-bulletins and newsletters.
Unlike some other colleges and organisations, though, we have lacked one thing – a regular summary of information and celebration of achievement in a form that conveys a message about what ACEM is doing across its spectrum of activity, to those involved in the organisation and those outside.
We are an organisation that can be proud of what it does and should not be afraid to showcase that.
So, I am proud to let you know the first issue of Your ED, a magazine that will communicate the work the College does, for and by its members, in partnership with the College staff and others, is at the printers.
Everyone involved in its development has contributed much to produce a quality publication intended to have something of interest for everyone who works in emergency medicine or has an interest in the work of the College.
Look out for it at your hospital emergency department or your mail box.
Until next time,
Simon