Symposium Medical
The Annual ANUMSS Medical Symposium is considered the flagship event in the academic calendar, consistently attracting prominent speakers to engage in a lively mix of panel discussion and open forum with the student cohort. The 2013 Medical Symposium stayed true to this trend as some of ACT’s most prominent physicians and surgeons formed the expert panel chaired by Prof Frank Bowden to discuss this year’s topic: End of Life Issues in Medical Practice. The panellist ranged from all walks of the medical profession, each providing an unique insight into the role of the doctor in addressing end of life issues. Representing the acute care setting; Intensivist, Dr Simon Roberson; Emergency Physician, Dr Gary Wilkes and; Trauma Surgeon, Dr Aileen Fitzgerald, who spoke from their experience in the unique role as the providers of aggressive, resuscitative and life-sustaining care. Their points were well contrasted by the insight of Palliative Care Specialist, Dr Denis Pacl who stressed the crucial role of the doctor in providing health care to patients for whom curative treatment was no longer available and enforced the importance of developing this aspect of our training as young clinicians. Geriatrician, Dr Sabari Saha and Neonatologist, Dr Hazel Carlisle also provided juxtaposing views of dealing with end of life care as they spoke about the challenging aspect the death of a patient at both extremes of life. Charismatically driven by Professor Bowden, the lively and robust debate about end-of-life care amongst the clinicians addressed topics ranging from the ‘heroic doctor’ perpetuated in the media, to idea of ‘going too far’ in attempts to extend life. Ultimately while each panellist had their own approaches to dealing with end-of-life issues, all seemed galvanised by the principle of striving to allow each patient the experience of a subjectively ‘good death’, as well as the acceptance by the doctor that this ‘good death’ may lie at ends with their personal beliefs or discourse as an instinctive care-giver. All-in-all, the symposium, was an entertaining and enlightening evening with plenty of enthusiastic participation from the packed auditorium. The ANUMSS would like to extend special thanks to all those who were in attendance and especially the physicians and surgeons who gave up their valuable time to share their thoughts on this essential element of medical training. We hope to see you all again next year for the 2014 ANUMSS Medical Symposium. Josh Tobin ANUMSS Vice President
Med Revue
The 2013 ANU Med Revue, Para-medical Activity, was a resounding success. Selling out its last two nights at the ANU Arts Centre, the ticket sales helped raise $6,500 for the Canberra Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This year’s performance introduced us to the world of Dr Smooth, a graduating 4th year medical student who managed to achieve the only interstate intern position, but has stopped caring about the important things in life: his friends, his patients, and SFM.Guided by three ghosts, they delved into Smooth’s promising past, his unfortunate present and bleak future, and finally his repentance, tackling issues many of us can relate to - the excitement, the break-ups, the hours of study, the PAL. All the while entertaining us with intricate dance numbers and the most cringe-worthy of medical puns, with video cameos from more than a few well-known ANU and TCH staff members. The catchy song parodies left everyone wanting more - from Craig David to Andrew Lloyd Webber, from Santana to Jay-Z, and every genre in between. Some have even said it was the best Med Revue in ANUMS’s short history. High praise indeed - let’s see if next year’s group can be even better. Alex Misev Producer - MedRevue 2013