Racs Post Op Podcast

Volunteering overseas is a goal for many doctors. While it’s not for the faint hearted it’s also incredibly rewarding, as Dr Thomas Schaefer, an orthopaedic surgeon in Western Australia explains. Making a difference to in-need communities like those in Gaza, is what humanitarian work is all about for Dr Schaefer. He lets us into his journey from Switzerland to working in WA and volunteering overseas when and where he’s needed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year a new protocol has been in development aimed at supporting information sharing between the College and hospitals. Instrumental in its evolution is the College’s Censor-in-Chief, Dr Adrian Anthony. He explains how the information-sharing protocol is about supporting patient safety through a culture of respect. More information https://www.surgeons.org/about-racs/about-respect See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After facing his own battle with mental illness, cardiologist Dr Geoffrey Toogood champions mental health support for fellow medical professionals and the general public. He says it's important for people to talk about mental health issues in order to break down the stigma. For support and advice, talk to your GP, or contact Oz Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. For Aotearoa New Zealand listeners, call Lifeline on 0800 543 354. RACS has partnered with Converge International to provide confidential support to Fellows, Trainees, International Medical Graduates, RACS Global Health Volunteers and their immediate family members.  Telephone 1300 687 327 in Australia or 0800 666 367 in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is a popular episode originally released in October, 2019. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only profession that continues to use gendered titles in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand is surgery. Spearheading a push to phase out its archaic and discriminatory usage is Dr Christine Lai, a general surgeon based in Adelaide, and Chair of the Fellow Services Committee at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. She’s encouraging surgeons to replace gendered titles such as Mr, Ms, Miss, and Mrs, with Doctor or academic titles such as Professor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change and other environmental issues may not be at the front of your mind when you’re dealing with any number of minor or major medical crises. But, it might surprise you how much healthcare contributes to emissions. So says thoracic surgeon Dr Ben Dunne, who’s taken up the mantle of raising awareness among Fellows in the College. Dr Dunne says medical professionals can do their bit by – among many things – consciously reducing, reusing, and recycling their equipment at work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian financial regulator APRA has announced major reforms to income protection insurance, which will reduce the amount of benefits available to Australian policy holders . So, if you haven’t looked at your current cover for a while, best you do so now. That’s according to Michael Waycott, Director of The Bongiorno Group, who discusses the changes which will be implemented by 1 October 2021. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RACS Rural Surgery Fellowship for Provincial Surgeons helps provincial surgeons to take time away from their practice to travel and develop existing skills or acquire new skills. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sarah Coll, who is based in Cairns in Far North Queensland, was delighted to discover she was entitled to apply for a Learning and Development grant. She explains her own experiences with the grant and the benefits the grant provides for RACS Fellows located in non-metropolitan areas of Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand. The Rural Surgery Fellowship for Provincial Surgeons is one of many grants now open for application through RACS Learning and Development grants round, with outcomes advised in November. Applications close 12 September 2021. For more information and to apply, visit: www.surgeons.org/scholarships See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RACS Clinical Trials Network Australia and New Zealand – or CTANZ – was formed in 2017 to provide a structure for RACS Trainees, Junior Doctors, and medical students to lead – and be involved in – high quality surgical research and trials. Since then, CTANZ has driven improvements in surgical care by enabling investigator-led multi-centre trials to be carried out in Australia and New Zealand. CTANZ has proven valuable to trainees, who work at the coalface of surgical care, and are able to identify gaps in knowledge and procedure. These gaps are the genesis of future clinical studies, changing patient care for the better. More information https://surgeons.org/CTANZ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the largest providers of scholarships and grants for the surgical community worldwide is the RACS Foundation for Surgery’s Scholarships and Grants Program, which offers two rounds of applications each year. Consultant colorectal surgeon Mr Ryash Vather was awarded a ​Bongiorno National Network Younger Fellows Travel Grant to undertake a prestigious six-month pelvic exenteration fellowship at St Marks in London. He discusses the opportunity, and his advice for others who might be thinking of applying. For further information, or to apply for a Learning and Development Grant, please visit, https://surgeons.org/scholarships  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Dr Muecke was awarded Australian of the Year in recognition for his many decades of pioneering blindness prevention, particularly in South East Asia. He cofounded ‘Vision Myanmar’ and ‘Sight for All’, both initiatives to help prevent and treat blindness. These days, Dr Muecke is championing action to prevent Type 2 diabetes – a preventable disease and the leading cause of blindness in Australian adults. His profile is helping raise awareness of the role sugar and processed foods play in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we welcome the new RACS Vice President, orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Lawrie Malisano. Based in Spring Hill, Queensland, Dr Malisano has had numerous roles in the College, including RACS Councilor and Chair of Professional Development. He’s a foundation member of the Anthroplasty Society of Australia, a member of the Australian Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and former president of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. Dr Malisano discusses his role and the opportunities ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Foundation for Surgery have been instrumental in supporting surgical needs in remote and disadvantaged communities, not only in Australia and New Zealand but also our neighbours in the Asia Pacific. One surgeon who’s benefited from their support is Dr Trevor Cullwick, Head of Department of Surgery and Orthopaedic surgeon in Vila Central Hospital, the main referral hospital in Vanuatu. Born and raised in Vanuatu, Dr Cullwick discusses his career and experiences working in a remote Pacific-island nation. MORE INFORMATION Foundation for Surgery – https://www.surgeons.org/en/foundation-for-surgery Pledge-a-Procedure – https://fees.surgeons.org/Fees/Fundraising/RacsDonationDetailAU.aspx?ItemId=DON_PAPGH21 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we turn the page on another financial year, what do you need to think about between now and June 30? For answers we turn to Michael Walsh, CEO of chartered accountants and financial advisors, Walshs, who outlines some of the major tax considerations for surgeons in Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month the College extends a warm welcome its new President, Dr Sally Langley, who takes over the role from Dr Tony Sparnon. Dr Langley is a New Zealand plastic surgeon, former president of the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons and who’s worked in both public and private surgery for more than 30 years. She discusses her role and the challenges and opportunities facing the College in the near future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The much-anticipated Federal Budget delivered by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last week was certainly a big-spending one, particularly in relation to aged-care and mental health. For commentary, we turn to Michael Waycott, Director of The Bongiorno Group, who guides Chris Ashmore through the major take-outs for surgeons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 30 years as a plastic surgeon, Chris Edwards transitioned smoothly into a career as a sculptor. Chris is a former president of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, who initially chose plastic surgery all those years ago because of his interest in art. He says learning and practicing art has improved his powers of observation. Chris firmly believes studying art or photography helps elevate the skills of a plastic surgeon. Chris’s artwork will appear on the virtual gallery at this year’s RACS Annual Scientific Congress in May. Also, as part of the Congress’s opening plenary, Chris will give a presentation titled ‘The art of being a creative surgeon’. For more information and to register for RACS 89th Annual Scientific Congress, please visit: https://asc.surgeons.org/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supportive, confidential, respectful, and non-judgemental – these words best describe new and enhanced complaints process at RACS. As an organisation that furthers the interests of our members by supporting their ongoing development and maintenance of expertise, the College is in a unique position when it comes to investigating complaints. Concerns raised in the past by Fellows, Trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates offered lessons in preparing a new way to handle the process. Emily Wooden, RACS Chief Operating Officer, discusses the changes and why they were introduced. RACS Surgeons Support Program Website: https://convergeinternational.com.au/ Contact our Feedback and Complaints team Phone (Australia): 1800 892 491 Phone (New Zealand): 0800 787 470 Email: complaints@surgeons.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A common challenge to both New Zealand and Australia is providing medical care for people in remote communities. The College is actively working on issues like workforce recruitment, retention and professional development to areas outside the major cities. RACS’s Rural Surgery Section Committee (RSSC) is dedicated to providing solutions to surgical challenges in remote and regional areas. Chair of the RSSC is Dr Bridget Clancy, who discusses its strategy and aims for the next twelve months. For more information about Rural Surgery Section Committee, please visit: https://www.surgeons.org/resources/interest-groups-sections/rural-surgery/about-the-rural-surgery-section See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RACS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program is undergoing changes for 2021, providing more flexibility, and with an emphasis on health equity and the importance of cultural competency. CPD is viewed as a way RACS Fellows can demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning and patient care; the new program will reflect this and support their learning journey. To discuss the changes is Professor Andrew Hill, Chair of the College’s Professional Standards Committee. If you have any feedback about the CPD program, please email CPD.College@surgeons.org   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year RACS provides a number of scholarships through the Foundation of Surgery. Scholarships are important to help surgeons, trainees and health professionals facilitate changes and improve the quality of surgical care and practice. Two past scholarship recipients include Professor Greg O’Grady and Doctor Deborah Wright, both based in New Zealand. They share their experiences and discuss the benefits that scholarships have provided to each of them in their fields of research and their careers. Research scholarships open in March, and Learning and development grants open in August. 2022 research scholarships are ‘now open’ until 12 April, with outcomes advised in August; learning and development grants open in August this year. If you are a current Trainee or active Fellow, a 2022 Research scholarship could help you contribute to improving the quality of surgical care and practice. To learn more about the Scholarships and grants program including available scholarships and grants, how to apply and the