2015 Council 3
Welcome to AMSA This page marks the beginning of your official induction into a community of 17, 000 medical students around the country. Welcome, you’re in good company! The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) would like to congratulate you on the beginning of your medical career. There’s a place in AMSA for every medical student, and this guide is your roadmap to getting involved. AMSA is the peak representative body for medical students in Australia. AMSA exists to connect, inform and represent each of the 17,000 medical students at Australia’s 20 medical schools. AMSA’s core operations include advocacy, events, projects and publications. Each of the 20 medical schools in Australia elects a representative to sit on AMSA Council, which is the primary decision- making body of the Association.
2 3 4 5 7
What Makes AMSA? Advocacy Events Initiatives Contact
ADVO
CACY
2015 NLDS
AMSA advocates for medical students through policy development, advocacy campaigns and representation to governments, universities and relevant medical and medico-political bodies. AMSA has a strong grass-roots approach to policy development, whereby ThinkTanks produce and review policy and other initiatives. These are chaired by local AMSA Reps at medical schools throughout the country.
CATIONS
PUBLI
events
2015 Convention
AMSA’s events are renowned for their social, educational and leadership programs. The events calendar kicks off in May, with AMSA’s premier event, the National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS). NLDS brings together 90 of Australia’s budding health leaders for focused upskilling in leadership, advocacy and political engagement. In July, AMSA runs its famed National Convention, held annually since 1960. Convention sees over 1,200 Australian medical students unite for the world’s largest entirely student run event.
PRO JECTS
2015 NLDS
AMSA’s projects span topics from rural health to refugee health, LGBT health, climate change and everything in between. AMSA’s Mental Health Campaign aims to improve medical student mental health and wellbeing. Vampire Cup unites AMSA and the Red Cross to pit medical schools against one another in a race to donate blood, registering 1,800 donations in a year and counting. AMSA Academy is an online education platform running courses on global, sexual and mental health and more.
AMSA’s Global Health Conference (GHC) runs each August, with over 700 delegates passionate about innovation and equity in global health.
AMSA produces many publications which are distributed electronically and in hardcopy. Keep an eye out for our ‘Internship & Residency Guide’, released early each year, to give you the inside scoop on kickstarting your career.
1
what makes
amsa? AMSA Representatives
In order to understand the perspective of medical students and furthermore be able to deliver information to medical students, it is important we have our almighty Reps to act as a channel through which we can do so. Each university has one AMSA Rep, and often a junior AMSA Rep. Feel free to contact your AMSA Rep if you want any information or want to get involved in AMSA! They will be organising ThinkTanks to gauge your views on important medical issues. This forms the backbone of AMSA policy so please attend!
AMSA EXECUTIVE
The 2016 AMSA Executive is based in NSW. Their job is to organise and direct AMSA’s advocacy, publications, services and initiatives. They are important in overseeing the management of AMSA and act in a leadership capacity.
AMSA BOARD
The AMSA board provides guided strategic planning that helps AMSA run as a company.
2
AMSA committees
AMSA Committees target specific goals that medical students are passionate about. This includes events discussed later, but also Global Health, International students, Rural Health and more.
AMSA affiliates
AMSA Affiliates are independent of AMSA but may share common goals. They are often lovely to collaborate with so we can put forward a strong, united front.
AMSA council
AMSA Council is run three times per year. At Council, AMSA Reps, Medsoc Presidents, the executive, representatives from the board and anyone interested gather to discuss and vote on important policy as well as the goals and direction of AMSA. Council 1 this year will be held in Sydney from 1-3 April and we would love you to come join! It is a wonderful opportunity to upskill and understand the intricacies of advocacy. Check out the AMSA website for more information on attending Council.
Photos: 2015 Council 3
ADV
AMSA represents the interests of all Australian medical students to relevant government departments, non- government organisations, media outlets, universities and the public, to ensure that medical students’ concerns are heard. Three times a year, the AMSA National Council meets to formalise policy on medical education, workforce and public health issues. This policy is then used to represent medical students’ view to key stakeholders. Getting involved with AMSA’s advocacy helps build the capacity of medical students to effect change. To ensure that your voice is heard, contact your local AMSA Rep and find out how you can get involved.
INTERNSHIPS
AMSA has worked for many years to ensure that recent increases in the number of medical students do not compromise the quality of clinical training or the attainment of internship for all Australian medical school graduates. Completion of an accredited internship after medical school is necessary to gain full registration as a doctor. Despite AMSA’s continued warnings, political battles have meant that, in recent years, some international students have been unable to gain internships. This is both wasteful, in a country that is still in need of and importing overseas doctors, as well as unfair as it fails to allow those students to become doctors.
STUDENT NUMBERS
As of 2014, there were 16,837 medical students including domestic and international students. This represents a 56% increase from 2006 numbers, or an additional 6,067 students. The annual number of medical graduates has morethan doubled from 1,503 in 2004, to 3,441 in 2013. Medical student numbers are at an all time high, slated to grow further until 2017. In 2015, with the introduction of Curtin Medical
CACY
Photo: 2015 Council 3
School, there will be a further 440 medical students, with 110 new graduates every year, as of 2022. This rise in medical students has not been met by a commensurate rise in internships, training positions or medical jobs. Given these pipeline restrictions it is important that there are not further increases to Australia’s medical student numbers.
DISCRIMINATION, BULLYING AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT At the start of 2015, the spotlight was shone on the medical profession and the issues of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment were brought to the fore. A College of Surgeons Report found that such behaviour was rife throughout the profession with nearly 1 in 2 medical students reporting being harassed at some point. AMSA will be working with Colleges, Hospitals, Universities and the AMA amongst other bodies to ensure that there are functional reporting structures, without reprisal, for students and junior doctors but more than that to push for a cultural change that makes explicit that such behaviour is unacceptable from any health worker or student.
student mental health & wellbeing
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that over a quarter of young people (aged between 1624) experience a mental health disorder in a 12-month period, but very few of these young people access mental health services. Medical students and doctors are recognised to be at even higher risk of mental health disorders. AMSA is pushing for universities to offer additional support to students, while reaching out to medical students who need assistance. To advance AMSA’s advocacy, AMSA is affiliated with: • Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association • Australian Medical Association (AMA) • Australian Medical Council • General Practice Students’ Network • Medical Deans of Australia & New Zealand • National Rural Health Students’ Network • New Zealand Medical Students’ Association AMSA is a member of the International Federation of Medical Student Associations. To find out more about AMSA’s advocacy activities, visit the AMSA website.
3
EVENTS
2015 CONVENTION
NATIONAL CONVENTION
From 2-9 July, we welcome you to Townsville for what is sure to be an unforgettable week. Be inspired by world-class speakers, have a blast grooving and moving at the renowned socials where body paint is a must and feel the thrill of rivalry as the universities compete with one another at sports day as well as debating.
GLOBAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
The AMSA Global Health Conference (GHC) is sure to challenge, inform and intrigue you with the challenges but also wonders of global health being explored. Like Convention, you will be exposed to wonderful speakers mixed in with the fun of socials. This year, GHC will be held from 26-30 August in Newcastle.
4
DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
The AMSA National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS) is a great opportunity to upskill in areas of leadership, advocacy, medicine, politics and business. Held in Canberra from 22-26 of May, NLDS provides exposure to politicians, innovators, and leaders with hands on workshops.
nlds.amsa.org.au
newghc.com.au
townsville2016.com.au
2015 CONVENTION
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
2015 ghc
2015 NLDS
INITIATIVES global health
AMSA Global Health is the peak representative body for medical students’ global health interests. It is AMSA’s largest committee, comprising of representatives from 20 university Global Health Groups (GHG) and a national Management Team. There are many opportunities for medical students to join the AMSA Global Health community. It might be volunteering for national projects and campaigns, upskilling and learning through education and training activities, becoming an advocate or author on global health issues, or fostering GHG collaboration.
facebook.com/AMSA.global.health @yourAMSAglobal
RURAL HEALTH
The AMSA Rural Health Committee is the branch of AMSA that represents rural-background students, rural clinical school students, and students interested in rural health. The Committee advocates for students on rural issues and coordinates a series of national projects, campaigns, and publications. AMSA members are passionate about improving the health outcomes for rural and remote Australians, and the AMSA Rural Health Committee supports and facilitates medical students to engage with rural health.
MENTAL HEALTH
In response to the state of mental health in tertiary students, the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) created a policy outlining the issues in tertiary student mental health and the need to take action. The AMSA Mental Health Project was born from this policy, and the drive to improve and address tertiary student wellbeing. AMSA’s mental health project includes advocacy and events nationwide and demonstrates an exciting and socially benefiting opportunity for your company to have wide exposure to our students.
facebook.com/amsamhc @AMSAmhc
VAMPIRE CUP
The Vampire Cup is AMSA’s annual national blood drive. The drive, run in conjunction with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, occurs for the duration of July and August. The Vampire Cup pits medical societies against each other with the victorious university being the one with the greatest number of donations per capita. This is one of AMSA’s most successful engagements with the medical student body.
AMSA ACADEMY
AMSA Academy is the education and training arm of Central AMSA. AMSA Academy offers an interactive online interface and offers students an evidence-based and innovative avenue to explore their interests. These short courses provide a platform to up-skill and educate medical students in areas either of interest or that may not be covered in the depth they would like in their medical programs. Online modules run alongside interactive discussion boards. Along with global, mental and sexual health courses the four new courses offered in 2015 proved to be a success and are scheduled to begin running again later this year.
academy.amsa.org.au facebook.com/AMSAacademy
6
PUBLICATIONS
AMSA publications are channels through which you can voice your thoughts, opinions and stories. If you have a passion for writing, then submit your work to us and have it potentially published for over 17,000 medical students to either view online or in printed copies distributed to each medical school. To view some amazing past AMSA publications visit the AMSA website. Panacea is AMSA’s premier magazine published biannually. It provides commentary on current issues facing medical students and the activities of AMSA. This year will have our 50th edition printed! The Intern and Residents’ Guide (IRG) is designed as a core reference booklet for all Australian medical graduates and junior doctors. It is the only publication of its type giving detailed information on the range of national employment options for internship. Also keep a look out for the new Guide to Additional and Postgraduate Study Options. Embolus is our monthly electronic bulletin, which gives you updates on what AMSA is doing for you and how you can get involved. Vector is the official global health magazine that connects, inspires and empowers students surrounding the issues of global health.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT
Elise Buisson Western Sydney University president@amsa.org.au
Public Relations Officer
Tabish Aleemullah University of New South Wales pro@amsa.org.au
VICE-PRESIDENT internal
National coordinator
Chloe Boateng Western Sydney University vpi@amsa.org.au
Millie Garg University of New South Wales nc@amsa.org.au
VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL
ENGAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS OFFICER
Matthew Lennon University of New South Wales vpe@amsa.org.au
Ciaran O’Brien University of Sydney epo@amsa.org.au
Treasurer
PublicationS & Design Officer
Brad McIntyre University of Sydney treasurer@amsa.org.au
CREDIT
Designed by Jessica Yang 2015 NLDS and Council 3 photography by Jessica Yang 2015 Convention photography by Ajay Raghunath, Anna Hoy, Ade Kurniawan and Kimberley Chan 2015 GHC photography by Ben Rossiter Thanks to events and committee teams for allowing the use of their logos.
Jessica Yang Western Sydney University pdo@amsa.org.au
national projects officer Subalatha Devaraja Melbourne University projects@amsa.org.au
SPONSORSHIP OFFICER
Sunela Pathirana University of New South Wales sponsorship@amsa.org.au
SPONSORSHIP OFFICER
Jaffly Chen University of New England sponsorship@amsa.org.au
amsa representatives
Australian National University
James Cook University
Tom Harvey amsa@anumss.org
Tarren Zimsen liaisonofficer@jcumsa.org.au
UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Bond University
Monash University
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA
Haydn Dodds amsarepresentative@mssbu.org.au
Deakin University
Dale Jobson amsa.clinical@medusa.org.au
Flinders University Blaire Brewerton amsa@fmss.org.au
Griffith University
Doug Rouche d.roche@gums.org.au
Cecile Pham amsa@medsoc.org.au
Josh Monester amsa@mumus.org
Rosey Chen amsa@unemsa.org
university of adelaide
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, FREMANTLE
Monica Chen amsa@amss.org.au
Georgina Martin amsa@msand.org.au
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, SYDNEY
Matthew Bright amsa@ummss.org.au
Pedro Tseng Pau amsa-clinical@mandus.org.au
university of newcastle
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Basheer Alishiwanna amsa@unms.org.au
Rob Thomas liaison@uqms.org
Melanie Stevenson amsa@sydneymesoc.org.au Jack Lego amsa@tumss.org.au
university of western australia Meredith Cully amsa@wamss.org.au
university of wollongong Oliver Hovav amsa@wumss.org.au
Western Sydney University Ali Cimen amsa@wsms.org.au
Studying medicine will open many doors, including ours Not everyone is eligible to be a client of BOQ Specialist. But you are. Now that you’ve commenced your studies, you can join the numerous doctors who have chosen to trust us with their finances throughout their careers. We’ve worked with the medical profession for over twenty years and because we’ve taken the time to know more about you, we can do more for you. Visit boqspecialist.com.au/students to find out more.
Transactional banking and overdrafts / Savings and deposits / Credit cards / Car finance / Home loans Products and services are provided by BOQ Specialist - a division of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740 AFSL and Australian credit licence No. 244616. Terms and conditions, fees and charges and lending and eligibility criteria apply