Health care delivery has shifted from one of blame-seeking to a more enlightened and sophisticated understanding of a modern complex system. That’s according to Dr Mark O’Brien, Associate Fellow & Programme Director, Oxford Healthcare Leadership Programme, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Dr O’Brien, a passionate advocate of quality and safety in healthcare, says it’s important to minimise the mistakes people make, as well as to have systems and cultures that are safe. Dr Mark O’B...
Apr 26, 2022•13 min
Although the Australian federal election had yet to be announced, it was very much on the minds of everybody when the Australian federal budget was delivered by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on the 29 March. Michael Waycott, Director of The Bongiorno Group, discusses the key take-outs for surgeons in Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 12, 2022•9 min
Dr Samantha Pillay graduated from the University of Adelaide Medical School in 1992 to become the first female urological surgeon in South Australia. From a very early age a physical condition prevented Dr Pillay from being able to walk. But it’s made her all the more determined to pursue her dreams and to help others in need. Dr Pillay is the founder of Continence Matters, an online resource to educate the medical professional and the general public on bladder and continence issues. She’s also ...
Mar 29, 2022•17 min
RACS is considering a proposal to change the name of the College following a request from our Fellowship. RACS Council appointed a working party to progress the matter and it was agreed that an electronic vote of members on the proposed name change will be conducted later in 2022, allowing ample time for member and stakeholder education and engagement. The working group has agreed to go with the name, Royal Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand College of Surgeons (RAANZCS). In this episode, otola...
Mar 15, 2022•10 min
Surgeons have benefited greatly in recent years with a range of digital tools allowing them to innovate, learn and communicate with patients. One benefit of digital health technologies is that they enable efficiencies in the workplace, says Dr Jill Tomlinson, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Melbourne. Dr Tomlinson outlines the range of tools available and how to incorporate them into your own practice. MORE INFORMATION Digital Health Hub https://www.surgeons.org/Resources/digital-h...
Mar 02, 2022•10 min
Flexible training increases diversity in the surgical workforce by enabling Trainees to broaden their experience and pursue wider interests and opportunities while progressing towards Fellowship. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trainees' Association (RACSTA) supports trainees pursue more flexible training if required. In this episode we hear from two surgeons who have taken advantage of flexible training: Dr Winnie Gill, a Hepatobiliary Fellow at Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Dr Tim S...
Feb 01, 2022•8 min
Forty-one years after first arriving in the Northern Territory, general surgeon Assoc. Prof. Phillip Carson has retired from clinical practice. He talks about his career highlights in the Top End, including his immense satisfaction being involved with the local and surgical communities of the NT. Assoc. Prof. Carson continues his active engagement with the College - in surgical education, governance of cancer services, and facilitating the delivery of surgical services across Australia's vast an...
Jan 04, 2022•17 min
The Surgical Education and Training (SET) Program is designed to ensure surgical trainees become competent surgeons to the communities they serve, which include regional areas of Australian and New Zealand. Associate Professor Matthias Wichmann is a general surgeon who has been highly supportive in mentoring SET aspirants in Mount Gambier in South Australia. A recent general surgical SET trainee is Dr Matt Watson. Both discuss the benefits of the program and the attraction of working and living ...
Dec 14, 2021•18 min
It’s been almost six years since the College commenced work on the Building Respect Improving Patient Safety initiative. A 2015 investigation led by an expert advisory group – or EAG – uncovered issues around discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment. Since the findings, the College has been implementing a long-term program of work to support professionalism in surgery. Recently, the College has conducted to surveys: the evaluation survey and a prevalence survey to ascertain current behavio...
Nov 30, 2021•18 min
The Wellbeing Charter for Doctors was created by medical colleges to signify the importance of the role that such colleges, hospitals and health jurisdictions have to play to support doctors and ensure that they have the opportunity to prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing. It is important that doctors thrive in all aspects of life, not only in medicine, and this is a key principle of the charter. The charter is only the beginning of work on shining a spotlight on doctors’ wellbeing. It...
Nov 16, 2021•16 min
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....
Nov 02, 2021•12 min
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....
Oct 19, 2021•15 min
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 provid...
Oct 05, 2021•13 min
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...
Sep 21, 2021•7 min
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 omnyst...
Sep 07, 2021•12 min
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....
Sep 01, 2021•9 min
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 ...
Aug 24, 2021•12 min
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 id...
Aug 10, 2021•17 min
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 ...
Jul 27, 2021•9 min
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...
Jul 13, 2021•30 min
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 ...
Jun 29, 2021•9 min
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 ...
Jun 15, 2021•9 min
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.
Jun 01, 2021•8 min
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....
May 18, 2021•11 min
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.
May 18, 2021•13 min
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 ...
May 05, 2021•22 min
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. ...
Apr 20, 2021•7 min
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 ...
Apr 07, 2021•13 min
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 ...
Mar 23, 2021•7 min
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 career...
Mar 09, 2021•12 min
