01GSM MATTERS

GSM MatterSDeceMber 2012connect: UoW

inSiDe thiS iSSUe

01 GSM Prize ceremony 2012

01 Prizes

02 Scholarships

02 Dean’s Merit List

02 Men in Medicine

03 consultation Liaison Psychiartry Workshop

03 Medical Student attends aSM

04 new books donated to illawarra

04 South Side Football

04 30th annual cranaplus

05 communities take on role of Surgeon

06 new from Jacaranda city

06 Sarrah

number 14

GSM Prize ceremony 2012The GSM Prize Ceremony was held at the City Beach Function Centre on Tuesday 11th December. Master of Ceremony was Doctor H. John Fardy, Regional Hospital Academic Leader: Illawarra.

Guests were welcomed by Professor Alison Jones, Dean, Graduate School of Medicine.

Welcome to Country was delivered by Jade Kennedy.

PriZeSUniversity prizes are awarded annually to students by the University of Wollongong. University prizes are awarded based wholly or substantially on demonstrable academic excellence. Recipients receive recognition by inclusion of the prize on their academic transcript by the Academic Registrar’s Division. In addition, University prizes will be publicised on the University’s website.

Excellence in Medical Science

Joshua Wall

Norm Carr Achievement in Medical Science

Christopher Williams

Illawarra and Shoalhaven Medical Staff Council Chairs’ Clinical Examination Prize

Oscar Horky

The Welch Allyn-Georgiou Prize for Excellence in Clinical Womens and Maternal Health

Oscar Horky

Emma Harvey

The B. Braun-Georgiou Prize for Excellence in Clinical Women’s and Maternal Health

Kathryn Mullany

Chris Georgiou Award for Excellence in Maternal and Women’s Health

Holly Davies

RANZCP Award for Excellence in Psychiatry

Emma Polkinghorne

Dr Allan James Award for Excellence in Paediatrics

Jessica Hegedus

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Outstanding achievement in Research and Critical Analysis

Peter Sanders

indigo foundation Prize for Academic Excellence in Personal and Professional Development

Jessica Webster

MDA Outstanding Achievement Poster and Poster Presentation – Indigenous Health

Clair Spry

MDA Outstanding Achievement Poster and Poster Presentation

Clair Spry

PRP Diagnostic Imaging Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement

Holly Davies

SchoLarShiPSThere are a number of different scholarship opportunities available to our students. On 11th December we recognised the Scholarship recipients of UOW/ GSM specific Scholarships. We wish to thank sponsors and all of the organisations and government departments who have provided invaluable opportunities to GSM students. Scholarships are based on a wide range of criteria including: equity, rurality, and special interest.

Coast City Country Training (CCCT) Scholarship for Medicine

Nicole Kemp

Dr Ronald James Commemorative Scholarship for Medicine

Tia Morosin

Illawarra Shoalhaven Medicare Local Scholarship

Jorja Braden

The Troy Pocock Scholarship in Infectious Disease Studies

Holly Davies

Chris Zweerman Memorial Scholarship

Sonki Unhelkar

Dean’S Merit LiStThe Dean’s Merit List recognises and acknowledges Academic Excellence. The MBBS students who achieve a final grade of Excellent for MEDI601, MEDI602 or MEDI603 are placed on the Dean’s Merits List.

MEDI601

Tahira Scott

Zachary Pancer

Joshua Wall

MEDI602

Oscar Horky

Elise Perger

Hannah Walker

Cameron Warren

MEDI603

Dion Casey

Jessica Hegedus

Kathryn Mullany

Emma Polkinghorne

This year’s graduating cohort along with medical practitioners standing to read the Geneva Declaration

Men in MedicineWilson Petrushnko

Chair CCASSIG and Chair of Surgical Interest Network (SurgIN Australia)

Following the highly successful Women in Medicine evening earlier this year, The Critical Care Anaesthetics and Specialist Surgical Interest Group (CCASSIG) from the Wollongong Medical School decided to hold our own Men in Medicine evening. With over 60 people attending, the evening focused on the promotion of general wellbeing and the importance of balance in Medicine, that is, the importance of balancing studies, work, family, relationships and recognising the difficulties we face throughout our career.

Five doctors from various disciplines joined us to share their secrets, passion and struggles. Speakers included:

-Dr Sithi Sitharthan is a General Surgeon from Nowra. He shared his surgical journey, and shared with the audience stories of success and hardship and left everyone plenty to reflect on.

-Dr Taff Hughes is an Anaesthetist from Nowra spoke about decision making. It was a talk that enabled the audience to appreciate dilemmas that a doctor may encounter, how to rationally solve problems and work in a harmonious environment.

-Dr Richard Szirt is a Wollongong Graduate who is about to embark upon Basic Physician Training in 2013. He spoke about the transition from medical school and the challenges involved in a medical career. He left the students with many PEARLS that will be long remembered down the track.

-Dr Richard Hanney is a General Surgeon who is currently the Acting Head, Department of Surgery at Mount Druitt Hospital in Sydney. His talk titled; Using your powers for GOOD, not EVIL, was an inspiring presentation about the ability to implement change and contribute to the profession and community in a positive way.

-Associate Professor Chris Georgiou is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from Wollongong Hospital. He delivered a speech titled; Men in O&G: From MENarche to MENopause with a little bit of MENingitis. His insight took the audience on a rollercoaster of experiences and the importance of balance in medicine and patient care.

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The evening also recognised that medical schools are made up of 50:50 male and female students. This is a wonderful statistic, which demonstrates equality within the medical programme. Having recognised this, it is just as important to create training programmes that take into account issues women in the profession also face.

The event was a huge success and was well received by the students. These events are wonderful opportunities for networking to take place. Thank you to all the students who attended and a big thank you to the Doctors who gave up their time in joining us. Those who attended are looking forward to the next evening!

Enjoying the evening were students (left – right) Lachie McKeeman, Samuel Carr, Zach Pancer and Harry Martin

(Left – right) Dr Taff Hughes, Dr Richard Szirt, Mr Wilson Petrushnko, Dr Richard Hanney, Dr Sithi Sitharthan.

consultation Liaison Psychiatry WorkshopProfessor Nagesh Pai- UOW GSM, Professor: Psychiatry

An educational support grant from Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) enabled the Department of Psychiatry at the Graduate School of Medicine to organise a weekend workshop on Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at the GSM Lecture hall on 10th & 11th November 2012.

The two-day event attracted the registrars and consultants of Illawarra, Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISHLD) and neighbouring Health districts. Professor Ian Wilson, Associate Dean -Learning and Teaching at the Graduate School of Medicine declared the workshop open and delivered the opening lectures on “Physical illness interacting with psychiatric illness” and illustrated by examples of asthma, heart disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Dr Umesh Babu, Neuro Psychiatrist Hunter, New England Health (HNE) illustrated various examples to highlight the changing conceptual issues in traumatic brain injury and methods to intervene.

Clinical Director of Child Psychiartry, Dr Rajiv Singh, made a special presentation on the importance of liaison services of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) highlighting resource effectiveness.

Director of Training of Sydney West Health district, Dr Bruce Boman addressed various issues related to the elderly and emphasised the need for a conceptual understanding of priority issues in this age group.

The workshop sessions covered a broad range of topics such as decision making, perinatal issues, medically unexplained symptoms, Hepatitis C & psychiatry.

Other experts who were involved as speakers included Dr Matthew Mcfarlane, Dr Sujay Sringeri, Dr Andrew Pethebridge and Professor Nagesh Pai .

Judging from delegates’ feedback the conference had been a real success.

“It has impressed the delegates and raised the profile for UOW in the Continuing Medical Education scene.’ Professor Pai commented.

Professor Pai said he was lucky to have a strong team supporting him in organising the event.

(left – right) Professor Ian Wilson, Rajiv Singh, Matthew Mcfarlane , Uldis Bardulis, Professor Nagesh Pai

Medical Student attends annual Scientific Meeting (aSM) in obstetrics and Gynaecology (o&G)Associate Professor Chris Georgiou, Academic Leader: Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Lisa Simpson conducted a Phase 3 RCA project entitled: Perineal lacerations and their sequelae with A/Prof Chris Georgiou at the Wollongong Hospital earlier this year. Lisa then submitted aspects of this work for a poster presentation at the recent Annual Scientific meeting of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricans and Gynaecologists in Canberra (9-12 September, 2012).

Lisa was the only medical student to submit a poster and received many favourable comments with respect to her perineal tear “classification” system. Lisa is due to graduate in December this year.

Lisa Simpson with Associate Professor Chris Georgio in front of the poster she presented at the ASM.

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new books donated to illawarra Shoalhaven Local health District (iSLhD) Library ServicesAssociate Professor Chris Georgiou, Academic Leader: Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Although many of our students use tablet technology for access to the recommended text in the O&G course, it is important to provide to the various Hospital libraries multiple copies of textbooks to allow the currently rotating students access to loan copies. To this end, A/Prof Chris Georgiou has donated multiple copies of the current recommended textbook, “Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology” to Wollongong, Bowral and Shoalhaven hospital libraries. This should ensure that all students have access to textbooks at the various sites.

Associate Professor Chris Georgiou, Jenny Deura, Christine Monie & Gnana Segar displaying the donated textbooks

South coast 7 a-Side FootballAssociate Professor Chris Georgiou, Academic Leader: Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The Paediatric Physiotherapy staff, led by Joanne Morrell, at the Wollongong Hospital ran a 6 week soccer clinic for children and young people with cerebral palsy, brain injury or similar neurological conditions. The children aged 4 to 18 years were introduced to Paralympic 7 A-Side Football (Soccer).

Support and coaching was provided by A/Prof Chris Georgiou from the GSM, Glenn Fontana from South Coast Football and David Campbell, Manager of the Australian 7 A-Side Football team.

Participants of the 7 aside football clinic stretch down after one of the sessions.

30th annual cranaplus conference 2012 24-27 october, cairnsTeena Downton 4th year medical student, University of Wollongong

CRANAplus is the peak body representing and supporting health professionals who are passionate about providing high quality healthcare to remote Australia. I was fortunate to attend and present at their recent 30th Annual Conference in Cairns thanks to financial assistance I received from the University of Wollongong Graduate School of Medicine and Wollongong University Medical Students’ Society.

This year’s Conference was themed “Remote Pearls of Wisdom” to celebrate the 30th anniversary of CRANAplus. The Conference programme was superb and featured an engaging line-up of speakers who presented on a range of topics including but not limited to e-Health, student placements, remote and Aboriginal health research, Aboriginal Health Workers, interdisciplinary education and training, eye health, oral health, and birthing in the bush.

I found the talks about remote area midwifery particularly insightful and really brought home to me why birthing in country is so important for Aboriginal women and their families. Prior to the conference was aware that antenatal and birthing options were much more limited for remote women due to the closure of many birthing centres in the bush. This has often forced expectant women to leave their communities weeks before delivery in order to give birth in better equipped larger centres. What the conference helped me understand, however, was the broader impact of this on the remote woman and the wider community. Speakers touched on real issues such as stress and anxiety that worsen during pregnancy when women are forced to leave their house and children unattended when they are away to give birth, and the financial costs that families have to bear in terms of travel and accommodation in order to birth in a larger centre. I also learned about the important spiritual connection that Aboriginal people have to their land through birth and death that gets disturbed when they are unable to give birth on the country that they consider their home. The presentations really opened my eyes to how important an issue it is for birthing to be brought back to the bush, and stimulated my interest as a future rural health practitioner to consider what I could do in my own practice to ensure that I am as culturally sensitive and respectful as possible. For example, asking pregnant Aboriginal women if there are any cultural practices that they would like to have in place surrounding the birth, and assisting the women and their families to access travel and accommodation subsidies to help them cover incurred costs. I also learned the importance of continuity of care to Aboriginal women and being able to see the same midwife or other health professional throughout the entire antenatal period through to delivery, the value of involving fathers in “parenting”, and the benefits of involving Aboriginal Health Workers throughout the entire antenatal period.

It was interesting to hear about the National Maternity Services Plan that has been recently developed. With research demonstrating several benefits for mothers and bubs who are able to birth closer to home, it will be of great interest to see how the options for antenatal care and delivery in remote areas evolves in coming years.

Another topic at the conference I found extremely interesting was oral health and the “Lift the lip” screening tool. The tool has been developed for use by non-dental health professionals in remote areas to help identify community members requiring semi- and more-urgent dental referral for conditions such as dental caries and periodontal disease. It was also interesting to hear discussion of how an extended scope of practice could possibly be introduced for remote nurses so that they can perform some basic preventative oral health procedures (eg. fluoride varnishing) if required given the average 6 year waiting period it takes to see a dentist in the public system.

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The concept of extended scopes of practice and interdisciplinary learning was also explored in the presentations of several other speakers. One pharmacist spoke of how her local hospital resuscitation team has encouraged her involvement in their simulated training sessions on how to handle life-threatening medical emergencies. I thought it was innovative to hear how the expertise of pharmacists (eg. providing an extra set of hands, being a great wealth of knowledge regarding drug doses and interactions) could perhaps be of such value in what has very traditionally been quite an exclusive scenario managed by teams of solely doctors and nurses.

There were many other interesting talks that provided great snapshots of what an interesting and challenging area rural and remote health is to work in. For example, from the Conference I also learned that:

• ResearchinFarNorthQueenslandfoundthatruralpeopleviewitassocially acceptable to have poor oral health, and that distance itself doesn’t seem to deter rural people from accessing care (it is rather the indirect things such as the costs of fuel and time off work that seem prohibitive);

• Racismunfortunatelystillexistsinsomeruralandremotehealthcare institutions;

• Investmentincommunitydevelopmentandincreasingtheincomeearning capacity of the most disadvantaged members of our population could lead to a theoretical increase in overall population life expectancy;

• Indigenouspeopleareactuallybornwithbettereyesightthannon-Indigenous people, but suffer 6x the rate of blindness and 3x the rate of low-vision of non-Indigenous people by the time they turn 40;

• Over90%ofIndigenouseyediseasearisefromcataracts,refractiveerror and trachoma that can all be treated with surgery, glasses and antibiotics respectively;

• TheAustralianDentalAssociationrecommendsthatallchildrenshould see a dentist before their first birthday;

• Maslow’shierarchyofneedsarehighlyrelevanttounderstandingthe social determinants of health; and

• TheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderFacultyoftheRoyalAustralian College of General Practitioners has recently released an updated 2nd edition of their National guide to preventative health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which is well worth a read and to have as a reference when working in General Practice and with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

On the Friday of the Conference, I co-presented on the topic of “Preparing health students for remote placements” with Catherine Ryan, a final year nursing student from the Australian Catholic University. In our presentation we spoke about how we have found rural versus remote placements different, despite the terms often being used interchangeably to describe similar challenges. We also spoke about the implications of these differences with regard to preparing students for what they might expect on a remote compared to rural placement. Our ideas and energy were well received and we were encouraged by the interest that CRANAplus as an organisation has continually shown in nurturing students to take an active role in shaping the future of remote health in Australia.

In all, I found the conference to be an inspiring, invigorating and educational experience – one which has not only reaffirmed my passion for working as a rural health professional in the future, but one which has encouraged me to broaden my ambitions to additionally consider practicing in remote parts of Australia too. It has broadened my understanding of some of the unique issues and realities of delivering health care in remote environments, and opened my eyes to the amazingly wonderful sense of humour that interestingly unites many remote health professionals.

I look forward to applying what I have learned from the Conference during the remainder of my Phase 4 remote placement in Katherine, and as I embark on my future medical career.

I would like to thank the Flinders University NT Medical Program and Centre for Remote Health for also supporting my attendance at this Conference.

Teena Downton presenting at the CRANAplus Conference

communities take on role of ‘Surgeon’ for the dayTim Haynes- UOW Indigenous Project Officer

The GSM has continued its commitment to investing in the future of Aboriginal school students on the south coast.

In September the Indigenous health team had the opportunity to attend the Shoalhaven and Kalaru Indigenous community expo. This continues the long term vision and commitment of the GSM to developing a sustainable pipeline of education for Indigenous communities.

Over the two days these events were attended by over 600 community members, predominantly school students, which provided a great opportunity to discuss the great things that our students and staff are doing in Indigenous health and to demonstrate the GSM commitment to these communities. Our particular aim was to engage local school students and arm them with opportunities awaiting them through study at University and in particular to provide them with information about careers in health and Medicine.

The career events required stall holders to offer an interactive element that would encourage students to engage more readily. As part of this we organised a mock surgery. Our patient for the day was a bread roll who had a case of MMitis. Students were encouraged to dress up and remove the mm infection from the rolls.

Although the activity was fun, there was a serious element in allowing the students to discuss studying at university and Medicine in a relaxed environment. We had an amazing response from a number of the participants. Although students were “too shame” at first, we quickly found with some encouragement most were really keen to don the theatre gear and get involved.

A number of current Aboriginal high school and undergraduate students are aspiring to study Medicine. And had the opportunity to meet Professor Ngiare Brown, current student Ben Armstrong and the Indigenous Health team.

The GSM commitment to recruitment and retention of Indigenous medical students goes beyond a focus on graduate students into the socially accountable mission of the school and an investment into the future.

GSM student Ben Armstrong with former Shoalhaven Mayor Paul Green at the Nowra Indigenous community expo

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news from the Jacaranda city - Grafton/Maclean hubDr Alastair McInnes, Regional Academic Leader and Sheree Lloyd, Placement Facilitator

Students on placement in the Grafton/Maclean hub have been active participants in our Jacaranda celebrations held each year in November. Our community celebrates with a street parade that includes Dr Alastair McInnes our Regional Academic Leader as part of the Grafton pipeband.JacarandaQueensandprincessesvisitedourEmergencyDepartment much to the surprise of one of our students Charles Fish.

The students recently participated in a skills session for suturing. Dr Thakur, GP preceptor from Maclean Medical Centre facilitated the workshop that was attended by University of Wollongong, UNSW medical students and Emergency Department staff from Grafton Base Hospital.

The four students have been enjoying their placements and have settled into their weekly routine of general practice, emergency department, specialty and academic days. Two students participated in the recent dragon boat racing held as part of the annual Jacaranda Festival. Our students are also regular winners at the local Wednesday trivia nights in Grafton and Thursday nights in Maclean. Our students are keen to make friends while based here on placement and participation in trivia and other events help to ensure students feel part of our rural community.

Our students, James Jewell, Charles Fish and Wilson Petrushnko attended driver training supported by the University Centre for Rural Health – North Coast and all enjoyed the day immensely.

We are currently planning a simulation day where we hope to work through an emergency scenario provided by the University of Wollongong. A plaster and orthopaedic workshop for students and staff is also planned for early November. Academic days continue to be well received by the students with case based learning, bedside and clinician tutorials. Students also get a chance to mix with other medical students over lunch and a tutorial.

Students: Charles Fish, James Jewell and Wilson Petrushnko at driver training

Services for australian rural and remote allied health (Sarrah) national conference 2012

Launceston – tasmaniaTeena Downton, SHARP Rural Health Club. Final year medical student, University of Wollongong

I was fortunate enough to attend the recent 2012 SARRAH National Conference themed “Rural and Remote Health – Totally Wild” in Launceston, Tasmania with the support of the National Rural Health Students’ Network (NRHSN) Conferences of National Significance Program.

The 2012 SARRAH Conference provided a platform for future and current allied health professionals and stakeholders to come together to discuss the current issues facing rural and remote allied health, and develop recommendations as to how issues may be solved at an individual, local, state and national level.

As a medical student, I found it interesting to attend sessions discussing work done by various stakeholders over the last 5-6 years in developing new Allied Health Assistant roles and Allied Health Professional Extended Scopes of Practice. I hadn’t previously heard of these new roles but was pleased to hear their potential to be real game-changers in rural and remote health if implemented well. As well as increasing patient access to the right health care when they need it, I think there is scope for the new roles to support the recruitment and retention of a more sustainable rural and remote health workforce into the future. Not only by creating new entry points for rural community members to join their local health workforce, but by creating a flexible and generalist allied health workforce environment which would appeal to those health students in my generation seeking professional challenge and variety.

Representatives from the England and Ireland Health Systems also spoke at the Conference about reforms they’ve been involved in, particularly relating to tackling that ever present challenge of needing to do more with less. With health departments across the world working with fiscal budgets, it was motivating to hear some of the achievements being made abroad in this area using transformational rather than transactional approaches.

I was also able to hear about some of the new supports and incentives available for new allied health graduates in Australia to pursue rural careers. These new incentives place strong emphasis on tailored recruitment and finding the right people for the right job, and I think this is a good move. I will certainly look to promote these and other opportunities to my allied health colleagues to encourage them to go bush with me.

Another inspiring session was Michael Bishop telling the story of how SARRAH as an organization came to be under the initial leadership and vision of a dynamic pair of passionate rural allied health professionals.

SARRAH has always been a strong supporter of student involvement in all its activities, and not surprisingly, it was fantastic to see another strong student presence at this year’s National Conference. Two students (Stacey Putland, Kristy McGregor) presented posters, 3 students (Steph Frazer, Justin Cain-Bloxsome, Ingrid Diep) presented during the concurrent sessions, and 9 NRHSN-funded students from a range of health degrees and universities were in attendance. Courtney Challinor (MIRAGE President, Final year Pharmacy Student) and I were surprised when we found out that we had been selected to give a plenary presentation, and thank the Conference Committee for the opportunity to speak on “Getting more allied health outback – just what the rural doctor ordered”. In our presentation, Courtney and I shared the different journeys we’ve had in finding ourselves on the rural career path and advocated on the value of multidisciplinary approaches to rural recruitment and retention. We were interviewed by Tasmania’s

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“The Examiner” newspaper shortly after - a copy of the article can be found at http://www.examiner.com.au/story/353579/launceston-gives-birth-to-rural-health-guide/?cs=95.

My attendance at this National Conference benefitted my personal and professional development in several other ways:

• Imetanddevelopednewconnectionstoruralalliedhealthprofessionals across the country, including some who work in the Top End where I will be heading for a rural elective placement in a month’s time.

• Iheardseveralstoriesfromruralalliedhealthprofessionalsaboutthe nature of their work and what they love about it.

• Ipickeduptipsabouthowtobearuralhealthadvocateandleaderat one of the Conference workshops.

• IgainedinspirationandideasfromtheConferenceonhowIcantocontinue to be actively involved rural health now and into the future.

All Conference delegates were involved in the Conference Recommendations Process that sought to generate recommendations for SARRAH and other stakeholders to pursue to improve rural and remote allied health now and into the future. At least 76 recommendations were generated by delegates at this year’s Conference, the foremost of which was a recommendation for a new peak body such as an “Australian Allied Health Alliance” to be formed encompassing all of Allied Health and likely include representation from groups such as SARRAH, IAHA and the NRHSN. Other recommendations relevant to students and rural placements also made the list, which will shortly be published on the SARRAH Conference website.

I wish to thank Linda, the rest of the NRHSN team and the Department of Health and Ageing for making my attendance at this Conference possible. Thank you also to SARRAH (including special mention of Rod Wellington, CEO) for a fantastic event where I felt very well supported. Thank you also to the University of Wollongong, Graduate School of Medicine in supporting my participation. I look forward to following the progress and implementation of the Conference recommendations, and encourage other students to consider attending this or similar conferences to gain a broader understanding of what the bigger picture of rural health has to offer.

left-right): Ben Crough (2012 National Secretary of the NRHSN, UNE pharmacy student), Kristy McGregor (2012 Senior Allied Health Portfolio Representative of the NRHSN, CSU social work student), Courtney Challinor (2012 Senior Allied Health Portfolio Representative of the NRHSN, (USYD pharmacy student), Rod Wellington (CEO of SARRAH), Teena Downton (2012 Senior Community & Advocacy Portfolio Representative of the NRHSN, UOW medical student), Justin Cain-Bloxsome (2012 Senior Indigenous Portfolio Representative of the NRHSN, UOW exercise science student)

We wish all our valued, Clinical Academic staff, plus all the Community staff who have been

supportive of our programme, a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.