AMA Victoria - Vicdoc August/September 2019

Magazine of the Australian Medical Association Victoria 293 Royal Parade Parkville Victoria 3052 T: (03) 9280 8722 F: (03) 9280 8786 Country Freecall 1800 810 451 amavic.com.au Editor: Barry Levinson E: [email protected] Advertising: Daniel McLaughlin T: 0400 916 742 E: [email protected] Vicdoc is published by AMA Victoria Services Pty Ltd ISSN 1440-8945 ACN 004 158 614 AMA Victoria Board members A/Prof Julian Rait (President) Dr Roderick McRae (Vice President) Mr William Blake Dr Enis Kocak Dr Catherine Mandel Dr Jill Tomlinson Dr Sarah Whitelaw The views expressed by individuals in this issue do not reflect necessarily the policy of AMA (Victoria) Ltd. Information published in Vicdoc is copyright to AMA Victoria. Information from this magazine should not be reproduced without permission. Please contact the editor. No responsibility is accepted by AMA Victoria, the publisher or the printers for the accuracy of information contained in the text and advertisements. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by AMA Victoria. Commission statement AMA Victoria and its related entities at times receive non-subscription income through commissions and other forms of income paid by service providers that provide commercial benefits to members. Through this we can provide improved services to members and keep subscriptions to a minimum. Vicdoc is printed using FSC mixed source certified fibre by Printgraphics Pty Ltd under ISO14001 Environmental Certification Closing date for October 2019 issue submissions: Editorial: 26 August 2019 Advertising: 2 September 2019 Disclaimer: AMA Victoria reserves the right to determine whether material submitted for publication shall be printed and reserves the right to edit as necessary for, but not limited to, spelling, punctuation corrections, and abridgments of the text without consulting the Writer. AMA Victoria also reserves the right to determine the final headline or title and accompanying images. At no time will AMA Victoria alter the intent or meaning of an article, and will seek the approval of the Writer on any significant change to content to ensure that the intent or meaning is not altered. This edition of Vicdoc has a big focus on doctors’ mental health. We thank the doctors who have opened up about their own battles with depression for the purpose of helping others. While there is plenty of progress still to be made, times are changing and doctors don’t face the same level of fear about being judged by their colleagues as they once did. Mental health advocate, Dr Geoff Toogood, has devoted so much to the cause in recent years and we congratulate him on his AMA President’s Award and another successful Crazy Socks 4 Docs campaign. I encourage you to read the brave declaration from psychiatry registrar, Dr Kieran Allen on page 10. Your August Vicdoc also includes thought-provoking articles on the future cost of medicine and a strong explanation of why doctors support pill testing trials at music festivals. It’s an exciting time for Western Health, with the construction of the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital set to commence soon, but first they share with us the story of the opening of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital. We also meet Dr Graeme Dennerstein, an O&G who has combined his love of flying with medicine for over 50 years. If you would like to tell us about an achievement in medicine or a personal interest you believe other members might enjoy reading, please contact me. We are also very keen to hear any other feedback on Vicdoc – particularly your ideas on how we might improve the publication. Vicdoc is sent to members every two months, so look out for the next edition in your mailbox in October. Barry Levinson Editor (03) 9280 8722 [email protected] Welcome from the editor AMA Federal President Dr Tony Bartone (left) presents AMA Victoria President A/Prof Julian Rait with a winner’s trophy at the National Conference. See page 32. August / September 2019 Vicdoc | 3 FRONT COVER: The flying doctor, Dr Graeme Dennerstein. Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors In today’s fast paced business world, it has never been more important to have a strong team around you. As busy medical professionals it is difficult to find the time to obtain the advice you need and all too simple to neglect your business and personal tax affairs. Bedford CA is a highly skilled and proactive firm of professional accountants and business advisors with more than 70 years of history behind us. As our client, your success is our success. We partner with you to set goals and develop strategies to achieve them. From career commencement to retirement and the years beyond. www.bedfordca.com.au [email protected] (03) 9938 4180