FPM Board Election
The FPM Board election was held in January 2023, with three candidates standing for two vacancies. Dr Murray Taverner and Dr Amanda Wisely were successfully elected.
The faculty would like to extend its appreciation to Associate Professor Tillman Boesel who was unsuccessful in his nomination.
New Fellow representative on the FPM Board
Two nominations were received following the call for nomination for the New Fellow representative on the FPM Board so an election will now be held on 15-29 March 2023.
Accreditation – AMC/MCNZ
The college has been accredited by the AMC and MCNZ for six years. The final report will be published on the AMC website on 23 March.
A key recommendation for the faculty is to ensure trainee representation on all its committees.
Members noted that the ANZCA Council has supported a change in terminology in its mission statement, to replace the term ‘mission’ with ‘purpose’.
Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs)
Following changes to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Regulation, the role of the Ombudsman is to be expanded to include oversight of complaints made by SIMG applicants, or training units which have been suspended or have had their accreditation removed.
This will have a major impact on the SIMG unit and college resources. The ANZCA regulations and processes are being reviewed and this includes the feasibility of a fee for reconsideration and review of SIMG applicants.
The college is preparing a response for the Ombudsman’s office, due on 9 March. A copy of the response will be tabled at the April Council and Board meetings.
2023-2025 ANZCA Strategic Plan
The new ANZCA Strategic Plan is now available on the website.
An operational plan is being developed that will incorporate the following three key drivers:
- 2023-2025 Strategic Plan.
- Australian Medical Council (AMC)/Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) conditions.
- Reconciliation Action Plan.
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023-2025
The ANZCA/FPM Innovate RAP has been approved by Reconciliation Australia and has been launched on the college website and our social media platforms. An article on the RAP will also feature in the Autumn 2023 edition of the ANZCA Bulletin.
The RAP provides a framework for organisations to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, underpinned by governance and reporting practices. The RAP framework will enable organisations to implement initiatives in the workplace and beyond.
Medical Benefits Schedule taskforce review
The Autumn 2023 edition of the ANZCA Bulletin will feature an article about Medicare item numbers. Fellows can contact the dean at FPMDean@anzca.edu.au with any queries or concerns.
Commemoration of faculty 25-year milestone
Plans are underway to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the Faculty of Pain Medicine and to celebrate the milestone during the 2023 Spring Meeting in Adelaide.
Strategic projects and initiatives
The faculty is commissioning a study to determine the demand and feasibility of offering a ‘direct entry pain medicine training program’. If developed this would be a longer training program that would not require the completion of a previous medical specialist qualification. The feasibility study will inform the board regarding next steps.
If the faculty proceeds with this initiative there will be an extensive process to ensure broad stakeholder engagement. In addition, the post-specialty entry pathway would be maintained.
PainSTAR
Associate Professor Mick Vagg attended the inaugural Pain School as part of the new PainSTAR initiative held in the Barossa Valley in South Australia in November 2022. The program was extremely well received by delegates and represents a unique opportunity to interact with pain researchers, increasing their exposure to clinicians who will translate their work.
Acute Pain Management: Scientific Evidence (APMSE) Lead Editor
The faculty is seeking applications for the role of Lead Editor for the next edition of the APMSE. This position is funded for one day a week. Interested fellows can contact the faculty at FPM@anzca.edu.au for further information.
FPM Research Network
The FPM Research Network Working Group has been making steady progress. A ‘soft launch’ to establish the network was undertaken at the Spring Meeting in Noosa and calls will go out in the next few weeks for fellows with a keen interest and experience in pain research to join the network’s leadership group.
On the Friday of the 2023 Spring Meeting the network will be offering workshops for emerging and established pain researchers.
FPM by-laws
The FPM Board has approved changes to the following by-law:
By-law ‘19 Accreditation units offering training in pain medicine’
The proposed changes seek to:
- Clarify that the unit must demonstrate it is a multidisciplinary team with integrated processes and practice within a sociopsychobiomedical framework.
- Identify that trainees should be asked to work at no more than four sites.
- Articulate the relationship between the FPM Training Unit Accreditation Committee and the ANZCA SIMG Committee.
- Ensuring there is an appropriate case mix at the unit that covers the breadth of the curriculum.
Passing of an FPM fellow
The faculty has been notified of the death in Townsville, Queensland of Associate Professor Victor Callanan, FANZCA 1992, FFPMANZCA 2004 on 4 February. The faculty extends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.