The Reflex - 2018

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS SOCIETY

CONTENTS 03 04 05 06 17 38

39 42 46 48

WELCOME MEDICAL DEAN REPORT PRESIDENT’S REPORT YEAR GROUP REPORTS COMMITTEE PAGES ELECTIVE PHOTO PRIZE WINNER CROSSWORD ALUMNI WELLNESS COOKING SOKRATES

Welcome From The Editors Hey d00ds, Welcome to this years Reflex! For those not in the know, the Reflex was historically an annual magazine that recounted the years shenanigans and hijinks. Last year, after a long period of dormancy, the magazine was revived by an expert team of editors and authors. This year, we hope to continue this new tradition, with article contributions from both students and faculty members alike. We hope you enjoy reading it and have a laugh or two!

Lots of love, Reflex team xoxo

MEDICAL DEAN REPORT Dr Brendan McQuillan, UWA Medical School It may be assumed by some that Artificial Intelligence (AI), perhaps assisted by a humanoid Robot for locomotion and examination purposes, will soon replace ‘the Doctor’. Let’s call it ‘THERA’ (Therapeutic Holistic Endovascular Regenerative Assistant). THERA will wirelessly assimilate medical knowledge at a rate that no human medical student could manage, no curriculum could map, and no clinical tutors could demonstrate. The OSCE will be replaced by the TURING test. THERA will administer therapies promptly and accurately to an awestruck Medical Consumer. Nanobots drawn from a sterile self-contained hermetically sealed cylinder on THERA’s silicon sheer back will be inoculated by needle-free injection technology but only after the Medical Consumer has provided a retinal scan-signed therapy consent form.

THERA will triage expertly: high fidelity scans will image every body part and attribute a treatment priority. The occult cancer carrying child will be discharged promptly while the middle aged man with biliary colic receives a laparoscopic cholecystectomy administered from one of THERAs many therapeutic limbs. Working shifts will be rostered in years, not hours, as THERA dispenses cures tirelessly, without breaks, until a 900 day fluorescent lightrechargeable battery replacement is needed.

So what of our human medical school graduates? Will you be judged by your knowledge retention and ability to withstand long surgical procedures without bladder relief or by the content of your character?

Your competitive edge is your human qualities. You will be the brokers of medical knowledge on behalf of your patients. You will guide them through a restless sea of misinformation and unproven therapies with exaggerated claims of benefit to the current best evidence. You will advocate for those less fortunate, take time for those who’ve made poor lifestyle choices, and understand in a way that THERA never will, that sometimes getting to know each other is a necessary part of getting someone to trust in your help. Be human, because that’s what our patients need. Wield THERA like a stethoscope to aide in your delivery of healthcare, don’t try and become IT. Thanks to Rama, Marissa and the 2018 WAMSS Committee for their tireless work with the Faculty on behalf of the entire Medical Student cohort through a challenging year. Student engagement and involvement in medical education is vital.

Congratulations on your achievements.

Pause and reflect on these and the path ahead. Trust that you will become and remain a vital part of a healthy community.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Dr Rama Chidarambaram President,Western Australian Medical Students’ Society 2018 has been an eventful year for medical students here at UWA. It marked the rollout of the revised MD, the opening of the Perth Children’s Hospital and the hosting of AMSA Convention in the West. Through all of this, WAMSS and our medical student community were busy afoot with hundreds of academic, sporting, volunteering and social events organized and dozens of committees hard at work behind the scenes. Together, we have spent thousands of hours coordinating event logistics at meetings and in advocating on behalf of student interests.

As I write this in my last few weeks as a medical student, I am still amazed at the passion and engagement UWA medical students show towards their community. As doctors, we will soon play an important role in shaping the communities of the future and our early involvement within WAMSS and our medical school places us in good stead to advocate for and represent our future patients and neighbours.

We have the pleasure of reminiscing the year that was 2018 at UWA Medicine through this timeless piece of memorabilia. Many thanks to the Reflex team and Publications Reps for all of their hard work. I hope everyone enjoys reading this most entertaining and poignant piece of literature and that in years to come, it will continue to put a smile on your face.

With love, Rama

MD1 Erin Hassett & Bernard Hanekom We arrived at uni in January, like babies newly born into the world, ready to start our long journey at med school. Excited and eager to begin the path we have waited so long for, we packed into the lecture theatre - our year had begun. Fresher camp was an unforgettable chance to make new friends and get excited for the So Fresh: Hits of 2018 that were to come. The first day was filled with sports, team games and some healthy competition. The second day’s suturing and phlebotomy workshops were hopefully enough clinical skills to get us through the “404: Clinical Skills not found” months that were to lie ahead. We studied hard and came out of the introductory period with our first taste of medicine.

And then our real semester began. Our lectures were joined by the undergrads, the amount of time spent in FJ Clark exceeded what was previously thought physically possible, we banded together as a cohort, and made it through to the other side of first semester. The semester may have been filled with short nights and long days, little sleep and a lot of our new saviour Anki, but we got through it.

As you can see, we all found the lectures exhilarating, and made sure we paid attention throughout. When those in Mary Lockett LT weren’t busy interrupting mid lecture with the linked microphones, they were catching up on some much needed beauty sleep. (insert pictures of people sleeping here). For those that did manage to stay awake, who avoided walking into a certain lecturer’s lecture late, and survived our 6 hour lecture blocks, we found joy in the small things - lecture bingo included tiles for every time a 45 minute long lecture had more than 70 slides, a joke was made that no one laughed at, slides presented in the form of Haikus, as well as not so discreet hints that an exam question was going to be made on this topic.

MD1 Erin Hassett & Bernard Hanekom Bake sales made our long lecture blocks bearable, as did lecturers laughing at their own jokes for longer than anyone thought possible. Our frustrations were expressed in the form of quality memes that made our facebook group slightly more interesting than the multitudes of ‘hey guys join this subcommittee’ or ‘hi everyone get around this event and buy tickets’ or ‘I’m confused’.

It got to the middle of the year, and in our precious three weeks of break, some of the cohort decided to embark on the wonderful educational experience that is Convention.

Semester 2 started, FJ filled up again, with a constant sound of coughing for the first few weeks, and we were back at it. We were a little more prepared this time around, having already found the best coffee along Hampden Road, actually knowing how to use TeachMeAnatomy, and having a slightly better understanding of what histology slides look like.

While this year had its challenges, we all got through it, and the weeks flew by. As we approach the end of the year, we’re looking forward to a pleasant 3 month summer break, before we’re thrown in the deep end next year and have to pretend we know something other than punnett square construction and the details of the TCA cycle when we enter the hospital wards.

Thank you MD1s for such a great year! We can’t wait to see you and all the undergrads joining our cohort next year, when we’ll finally learn how to use our stethoscopes and spend time somewhere that isn’t the inside of the UWA lecture theatres.

MD2 Charlie Viska and Milly Bakker After being safely ushered through the challenges of first year by the guiding light of Baelena, and somehow making it through the soul-crushing semester that was Systems 1, MD2s were excited for the year ahead when they arrived back to QE2 in January. Just a quick tour of the GIT, renal, endocrine and reproductive systems, RCS interviews, a midsem, an SCA, 3 end of semester exams and multisystems… and it would finally be time for the holy grail of medical teaching – actually entering a hospital!

Little did we know that as first semester went by in a blur of Rorschach-inkblot-test-like histology slides, and lecture attendance waned (by the lecturers), we would perhaps come to regret taking those weekends off when it finally got to study break and the end of semester. Despite this, we made it through, and we came to relish the last moments we spent as a cohort in the asbestos ridden FJ Clark lecture theatre for ‘compulsory’ multisystems seminars. Proudly, the cohort heeded the year reps’ calls to #turnout and, in a show of solidarity the MD1s can only dream of, multisystems attendance peaked on a 10am Monday public holiday lecture. Indeed, it revealed the way to our hearts was not through the inferior or superior vena cava (ayo! who even needs anatomy teaching?), but through our stomachs (and a free morning tea!).

Never missing an opportunity to relax, many from the cohort made their way to Rotto over the holidays to enjoy the blustering gale-force winds and torrential downpour that Rottnest Island is well known for. While they didn’t expect it, the extra night of accommodation after all return ferries were cancelled was a convenient excuse not to join their fitspo Runny Nose Run Club colleagues smashing PBs during the HBF Run for a Reason the next day.

MD2 Charlie Viska and Milly Bakker But now, after a rejuvenating (and somewhat extended for the academically-minded amongst us who went all out at the fantastic Perth18) break, it was time to start clinical!

Free from the shackles of timetabled learning, it was finally time to embrace our independence and get to learn medicine from the greatest teacher of all – the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. MD2s grew to love the challenges and opportunities that came with their new clinical homes: constantly getting in the way on ward rounds, strange beeping that never seemed to stop, and the stuffy, Legionella-scented laminar flow of aging hospital infrastructure. Now more than ever, the cohort’s ability to improvise, adapt and overcome shone through.

Many discovered new skills that only hospital rotations could elicit. From managing to appear on the ward just as it was time for the RMO to shout everyone a coffee, to flirting with the cute intern to get their exam notes, it was now every student for themselves. The days were long, and patience for other students snaking patients with signs from their friends in AMU was short. Some in the cohort took patient-centred care literally, and by September, the MD2 2018 appendicitis tally hit 3. With all this hard work it was time to destress the only way we know how: by being children again for an afternoon and taking over Bounce! Flipping away the stress of pending SCAs and an OSCE in the near future, MD2s party-bussed their way into the final rotation.

MD2 Charlie Viska and Milly Bakker As days off for “GP placements” became increasingly frequent, the end of the year approached and it was time to reflect on the journey that second year was. While there were moments when we were beyond our comfort zone, the many ‘first’ experiences were very welcome: the first successful cannula, the first time participating in surgery, the first time we didn’t have to worry about Portfolio work during study week.

So as the year comes to an end and we farewell our colleagues that will be spread all across WA for RCS next year, we will celebrate and party in an Urban Oasis for the spectacular Halfway Dinner. Congratulations to everybody for a fantastic year and for making it half way through, and here’s to the downhill journey on our path to becoming the UWA MD Class of 2020!

MD3 Ben Edland and Nikki Boyaparti Boy oh boy woweeeeee! What a year! The Eagles won the grand final, football nearly came home, we’ve had more prime ministers than revisions of the MD course, and Gary Lau once again set his sight on first years. It was sad to see all our friends elope to their country placements, yet leaving them in the capable hands of Jess Piggott was a reassuring thought.

Back in Perth, things got messy quickly. Gavin and Charlie decided to consummate their marriage by taking on the daunting task of being Orientation Representatives.

Unfortunately, Rotation A had to deal with their inevitable divorce and the resulting backlash that quite frankly resembled a spray from Ross Lyon after another 1st year player was “King-hit 100 metres off the ball”.

Despite the inevitable stress and torment that living on top of one another does to a person for 3 years, this year’s MD3s bonded quickly in each of their respective rotations. Surgical rotations in orthopaedics and urology both seemed to be a hit for most students, with others surprising themselves by enjoying O&G far more than they originally thought they would. In fact, Aimee Jones was sighted leaving hospital at 5:50am after an overnight delivery shift reportedly singing nursery rhymes to herself to ward off the fatigue. Absolute scenes.

PCH finally opened in the middle of the year after years of speculation and the crumbling PMH was finally put to rest. Those who experienced PMH in its final days each took away mementos from the hospital to remind us of the great times. Some took spare stationary, others took chairs, there was rumours that Prof Berneri took an Ultrasound Machine. While the curtain has finally closed on the glorious hospital that was, we hope that the Curtin medical school closes soon as well.

During our 8-week GP rotation multiple people went AWOL. Gary Lau took Brett to Bali for two weeks, Dhanushke Fernando went back to his beloved Brighton Bentleys, and big Benny Mathewson wasn’t seen for 6 weeks with random sightings reported in the Tasmanian tourism bureaus front office.

MD3 Ben Edland and Nikki Boyaparti We want to apologise to everyone for organising the MD3 cocktail in the same two week break as AMSA’s National Convention held in Perth in July. Whilst the evening was well attended by all, the general consensus was that there was still some serious recovery that needed to be completed by all. Despite this unfortunate circumstance, it was great to see everyone from the year make a real effort to come together for our only joint 3rd year/RCS event of the year. We both look forward to seeing everyone come back next year, yet we fear that the 2019 4th year representatives may need to be prepared for the return of the ball tampering scandal as we see the return of the great cricketer that is the 2019 WAMSS president.

We are genuinely so thankful for such an incredible year group that will be in final year in 2019 and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to graduate with you all at the end of next year. xoxo <3 Bikkie

RCS

MD4 Chris Horton and Tess Vermeulen Greetings from the graduating class of 2018! This year has been quite unlike any preceding it, with a degree of proficiency attained during our previous years meaning that we were beginning to feel like we were a help to our placement teams rather than a hindrance. All the while, the shadow of the OSCE loomed over us like an ominous dark cloud. Fear motivates like nothing else when it comes to study! The year started on a much brighter note, with most of the cohort jetting off to all corners of the globe for our elective. Some chose to work in excess of sixty hours a week in a field of interest, whilst others chose to spend in excess of sixty hours a week next to a pool with a drink and a book. Most managed to strike a healthy balance between the two, with only the fairest of them all coming back to Perth without some semblance of a tan.

The year also included a Rural GP rotation, which provided experiences as diverse as the landscape between the far north and the far south of this great state. Students regaled their colleagues with stories of visits to remote clinics, getting to know the locals, and wrestling crocodiles (Chin), whilst everyone tried to work out how much "rural" medicine in Mandurah differed from metropolitan medicine in Rockingham.

Back in Perth, fourth year students were being put to work. Anaesthetists taught students how to ventilate patients and nail the hardest sudoku puzzles, whilst Emergency Departments were filled with students that finally felt like they could contribute in a meaningful way. Rotations in Oncology and Palliative Care allowed us to meet patients at their most vulnerable, and reminded us of the need to be compassionate and caring professionals first and foremost.

MD4 Chris Horton and Tess Vermeulen The OSCE terrified even the bravest in our cohort, with flocks of students keeping the cafes and vending machines at the libraries around campus in business over August and September. Study groups were formed, whilst exercise and diet plans went out the window.

The build-up was so intense that most students just wanted to get it over and done with when the big day finally came around. Ask a fourth year about their OSCE experience and the story will no doubt include the horror of not being able to put on a collar and cuff sling, the awkwardness of trying and failing to motivate a patient to lead a healthier lifestyle, and the sheer disbelief that students were required to perform CPR in a hospital that did not have a defibrillator.

The lighter side of the year included a night out with the Notre Dame final year cohort, where most managed to get to know their future colleagues without making too much of a fool of themselves. We also applied for our internships, and made sure that we selected our future employers on the basis of culture, career opportunities and most importantly, canapes at the information nights. The prospect of a full-time salary and proper coffee compared to Youth Allowance and mie goreng is beginning to sound pretty sweet.

All in all, the final year of medical school was a wild ride and a total blast, although it may take more than a month at the beach this December to recover. In all seriousness, congratulations to everyone in the Class of 2018. Thanks for all the wonderful memories!

Chris & Tess

Gary ‘Robin-Hhood’ Lau, Massimo Berneri The 2018 calendar year has been packed with great events so far, with an excellent turn out at the Emergency Medical Challenge in April and Prep for Practice in June. Yet there are two other events (MD2 and 4 Mock OSCE) still to come. WOW!

Winners: Alex Hansen, Karen Bromley, Jack Dewsbury, Milly Bakker, Emma Lu

Emergency Medical Challenge (EMC) – sponsored by MIPS The EMC was overall an extremely enjoyable event to run. This year we saw 11 teams take the stage to battle it out in a variety of emergency and firstresponder scenarios. All participants displayed the (#multidisciplinary) teamwork expected from a bunch of LEAPS-survivors and showcased a formidable breadth of knowledge in stations varying from trauma to clinical toxicology. Additionally, we enjoyed the comradery shown at the all-important rest station which was a revolutionary inclusion into this year’s line-up (Dx: hypocaffeinaemia). At the end of the day the lycra clad team known as “The Killers” took the first place and the only prize on offer. They represented WAMSS at the Perth18 AMSA convention and took that out too - Well Done!

Preparation-for-Practice (PfP) Preparation for practice was held in June of this year in collaboration with our surgically-minded friends UWASS. Approximately, 120 of the finest MD2s this side of the country showed up on a weekend (in variable condition) to learn how to wield sharp objects and other necessities as they transition from lectures to the wards. The event included engaging presentations from Tim Hardy, Alex Hansen, and Dr Samantha White, who shared some very solid advice (and some unfortunate truths) on how to get the most out of clinical placement from their own experiences. However, the bulk of the day consisted of supervised stabbing of some sort (ie cannulation and venepuncture), generous use of lubricant (catheterisation), and how to not have your team think you are useless (SOAP notes). All in all, PfP was an extremely rewarding event to run and would like to thank the senior students for volunteering that very precious Saturday.

Thanks, Gassimo

This year we dove down to the depths to rediscover the lost city of Atlantis.

Allied Health, now in its 10th year running, is one of the biggest events held by WAMSS. Previously, it has attracted crowds of up to 2500, comprising primarily of university students from all of Western Australia's five universities, and in particular students studying health-related disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, podiatry, among others.

Held at an all new venue this year, the event aimed to forge bonds between the next generation of allied health professionals. Featuring music of EMAS, a silent disco and all-night drink specials, this was a night to remember!

AMSA Report Gerardo Arwi

Dear UWA medical students, What a year this has been. From Think-Tanks, Vampire Cup, and Convention, UWA medical students’ involvement with AMSA is higher than ever! With Convention being in Perth this year, we took over the entire week.

Here is the list of our accomplishments throughout the Convention week: • Took home the Convention Cup! • Gold medal for Emergency Medical Challenge • Gold medal for Netball • Finalist for Convention Debating • Finalist for Tug-of-War • Finalist for Australia’s Brawniest Female Medical Student • Finalist for Australia’s Brainiest Medical Student (we’re all so so proud of you Gavin for giving it your best against a Curtin second year kid) • Katherine won MIPS colouring competition so that’s also a call for celebration • Last but definitely no least, no one from UWA got a lifetime ban from AMSA for being too rowdy. Hooray!

AMSA Report Gerardo Arwi

Congratulations to the EMC team (Karen, Jack, Josh, Alex, Emma, and Milly), Netball team (Cameron, Cassandra, Chloe, Christie, Claudia, Corey, Jordan), Debating team (Jack, Dhanushke, Angela, Emma, Ben), Tug-of-War team (Cassandra, Christie, Oliver, Jacob, Nigel, Frank, Jana, Emily), Gavin, and Katherine. Also, thank you to every one of you who came to Convention! This is by far the largest delegation we had in recent memories.

But of course, AMSA is not just about Convention. This year we almost have double the number of UWA policy authors compared to 2017. Congratulations to Alannah, Cameron, Davina, Katie, Tristan, Liezl, Aleksandra, Ben, Nishita for the success of their policies. The research they put in will form a solid foundation for AMSA’s future advocacy efforts. Thank you also to everyone who came to the Think-Tanks to discuss big topics and voice their ideas!

I’m filling this entire page with shout-outs because no matter how much of a cliché it is, AMSA is nothing without you guys. It’s been a pleasure representing you at AMSA Councils this year, and I look forward to seeing more UWA medical students involved with AMSA in the future.

Kind regards, Gerardo Arwi UWA AMSA Representative 2018

Orientation Camp 2018 Gavin Huangfu and Charlie Lefroy

O-CAMP 2018 New MD courses, new starting cohorts, same banger of an orientation camp. As new medical students embark on their new journey alongside 120 other like-minded individuals, it is a time of creating many new friendships, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what O-camp is all about.

This year we returned back to Forest Edge Recreational Site to welcome the incoming MD1s which were a much smaller cohort given many of their classmates would be joining them in MD2. As they always do, our lovely sponsors from the MDOs (MIPS and MIGA) addressed our giddy freshers in the morning and provided some nutritious muffins and coffee. Then, freshers and leaders alike, took off on the bus ride playing addictively catchy tunes and dating games along the way. Upon arrival, they were welcomed to a saucy sausage sizzle, before officially starting the camp with a scavenger hunt and group activities like boat racing (2nd best medical school in Australia for a reason). All the finals were incredibly heated, but the leader all-star vs fresher favourites were by far the most anticipated. Tug-of-war and boat racing were easily won by the leaders, whilst the freshers put up a good fight for dodgeball. Once all the (happy) tensions subsided, dinner made by our amazing chefs (Milly and Alex) included tacos with a side of APPLEE PIEE.

As the physical energies reached all time lows, students were challenged mentally through a quiz night of questions on sporting, music, drama, Hollywood, Bollywood and everything in between. Oh, and lets not forget the el classico eating contests and karaoke battles. The night ended with some loosely-associated drinking of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;liquidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and banger after banger after banger on the dance floor led by our resident DJ.

Day 2 began with talks by our sponsors, WAMSS, Interhealth and AMSA, before some medically medical activities like suturing, emergency medical challenge, plastering and splinting ended the camp.

All in all, what a fantastic experience with only a few hiccups (batters/bruises are inevitable and some argue, essential, for a good camp).

This tradition is one of the best WAMSS has, and we loved being able to plan this incredible 2-day event.

With love, Gavin and Charlie

Med Dinner

WAMSS People of the Year Recipients: Jack Dewsbury, Erin Hassett, Lianne Leung

Preclinical Tutor of the Year Award: Rob White

Clinical Tutor of the Year Award: Peter Friedland

WAMSS Sportsman and Woman of the Year: Jack Dewsbury & Cathy Clarke

Joel Carson Memorial Award Winners: Gary Zhang, Brian Wong, Oliver Righton, Ben Palladino, Tommy Ikonomidis, Alex Hansen, Tim Hardy, Jack Dewsbury, Rama Chidambaram, Karen Bromley

Thankyou from WAMSS: Stephan Shug & Toni Celenza

WAMSS Honorary Lifetime Membership: Fiona Lake

GPSN General Practice Students Network (GPSN) is on the smaller side of UWA clubs, but that means we are able to provide you all with great events and delicious food! Our first event, run in conjunction with SPINRPHEX, was a big warm welcome for all, and an opportunity to get plastered (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, there was a plastering workshop)! We also had inspirational speakers, suturing and X-ray workshops. Other events included Weird and Wonderful Cases, our famous Ice-cream and Chill (where chill refers to the very important issue of mental health among health professionals), and our Financial Independence event. 2018 has been a successful, exciting and fun year for the GPSN committee and its members!

Indigenous Health Phoebe Strickland & Meghan Gledhill WAMSS Indigenous health provides a means of supporting Indigenous medical students as well as aiming to educate on and advocate for Indigenous health. This year has involved exactly that.

The year began strong, starting with an annual catch-up for all the Indigenous the Medical students as a chance to get to know one another – we all know there’s nothing better than seeing a familiar face in the library with you at 3am the morning before Pebble Pad is due.

It’s so wonderful to see every year the number of Indigenous medical students is growing and the annual catch up, as always, was a great evening to celebrate all the new and returning students. Throughout the rest of the year, just like caterpillars waiting to cocoon, WAMSS Indigenous health kept a low profile. We worked hard behind the scenes, supporting the Indigenous students wherever possible, waiting to emerge a beautiful butterfly with our star event – the Indigenous health panel. The event featured local celebrities Meghan Gledhill and Phoebe Strickland – we also heard from some amazing speakers including Minister Ken Wyatt and Professor Jonathan Carapetis (Director of Telethon Kids Institute) who shared their knowledge and experiences having worked in and advocated for Indigenous Health.

After all the events attendee’s had worked up an appetite for Indigenous health advocacy as well as just an appetite, the real star of the show, appeared – tables of amazing Indigenous inspired foods loaded with native herbs and spices provided by Bindi Bindi Dreaming Catering.

There was kangaroo stew, home-made damper, salads infused with native herbs and spices and their famous lemon myrtle cake.

The night was finished off with an insightful and inspiring panel discussion including Minister Ken Wyatt, Doctor Daniel Hunt, Doctor Alex Balzarelli and CEO of Moorditi Kort health and wellness centre Jonathan Ford.

We are so grateful to all the students and special guests who attended – we’d also like to give a special thanks to Spinrphex for their collaboration with this event (#sponsoredpost). We hope everyone enjoyed the chance to learn more about Indigenous health as much as we did.

WAMSS Sport Phwoar what a year for WAMSS sport! Yes, the Eagles’ grandie steal was a pretty big deal, but it’s nice for the Docker’s fans among us to have a taste of well earned victory and not just that experienced from band wagoning on the success of rivals under the guise of being a “good sport”.

And quite frankly, even the glory of an AFL premiership pales in comparison to the sweet success of our 2018 sportalicious fam.

Let’s start at the very beginning, shall we…a very good place to start. When you read you begin with a, b, c, when you’re a WAMSS sportsperson you begin with WIPEOUT. The annual kick start event traditionally sees a bit of wholesome inter-year bonding over bocce before turning it up with a couple of heated contests. While the army of freshers may have caught upper years by surprise in tugo-war, the highly anticipated return of dragon races (conventionally unconventional tactics and all) ensured the babes were instilled with appropriate reverence for their elders.

Healthy inter-year rivalry was put aside in the interest of university wide domination, although it would seem many freshers never quite recovered and retreated to the safety of the library for the remaining year. Having taken out the inter-faculty cup last year, all eyes were on us; however, unlike the Dockers in ’13 we thrive, rather than choke, under pressure. A few honourable mentions re WAMSS’ fierce performance in the inter-fac arena: Oh what a beautiful moment it was to witness our very own eastern import, Alex di Medio, leave the PESA boys for dead in the 400m. Equally beautiful was the sight of Yang’s exploding calves as he flew down the home straight in the 4x100m relay.

In touch rugby, we saw Hannah Watts sidestepping blokes twice her size and Massimo Berneri’s try tally broke more hearts than the Honeybadger on the Bachelor

The introduction of the inaugural e-sports comp had us nervously questioning whether we were savvy enough to beat the likes of UEC and BPhil. Our fears were soon put to rest; all hail Adarsh Parja, the reigning FIFA King.

Quidditch was yet another spicy addition to the calendar, but under the guidance of coach Palladino with his patronus at the ready, our lil’ WAMSS muggle clan could have been mistaken for a team of Gryffindors (if the red wasn’t such a give away). Kristan Teasedale was our unbeatable chaser, dodging bludgers and skilfully scoring quaffles through the hoops layup-style, while our golden boy, Blake Blowfield, outran every seeker that came his way.

We were eagerly awaiting the football comp where both gals and guys had a stellar performance. Of note, our fellas finished undefeated with a whopping percentage on our side thanks to Adrian Flexman slotting goals left right and centre, and Master Wayne speedily weaving his way round the field.

Following our winning streak, we remained unbeatable in netball. Those lucky enough to make it down witnessed some truly magical work by dream team Olivia Italiana and Cody Melvin; a combo rivalled only by the Edland- Hassett duo.

Having stolen the Ultimate Frisbee title last year (for the first time in a decade), UEC were hungry for revenge. Despite being down a national frisbee champion, we held our own thanks to Esther “baby Watts”; a young up and coming, making her mark as a sporting goddess in her own right. Special mention to Dewammina Chandu who nailed some impressive hammers and for his controversial, but effective, means of psyching out the opposition.

Outside of the realm of UWA, WAMSS continued to assert sporting supremacy against each and every inter-varsity foe. There was nothing quite as sweet as reclaiming our tri-varsity netball cup after the controversial showdown last year, although the girls first AFL win came pretty close. Shout out to MVP Cathy Clarke who consistently tore it up all the way down the field, and to our very own marking magnet, Jessie Hinder Carmichael! While the university struggles to kick goals in the area of stability, our footy boys sure don’t have a problem delivering as they reliably obliterated each med and physio school in every head-to-head. Special mention to Luke Wright whose blinder of a game in forward may be attributed to whatever they’re fed down in Bunvegas and to Jack Dewsbury who was perceived as such a threat, ND had him concussed in a dirty, futile attempt to turn the game around.

Back to the most tightly contested league of the year, our 2018 inter-year competition saw the ascension of an unlikely power house cohort. While their fittest friends were too busy bush bashing for metro affairs, what the MD3s lacked in number they made up for in commitment to their cause.

It seemed the 4th years claimed the beach volleyball title in a heavily one-sided grand final, but their inability to field a pedigree MD4 team meant the MD3s anti-climactically won by default. Although the MD3s weren’t too “set” in their volley skills, they had clearly been practicing the 5 D’s as they absolutely smashed the MD2s in a dodgeball performance that would have made Patches O’Houlihan proud.

The Hunt Cup saw MD4s take out both male and female titles; apparently running away from responsibilities is a successful training strategy. But seriously, huge congrats to the absolute all-rounder legends that are our King and Queen of cardio: Jack Dewsbury and Cathy Clarke.

Finally, THANKYOU TO EVERYONE who got around our sportalicious WAMSS fam this year; it’s been a wild ride.

UCO Hamish Newman This year’s Undergraduate Communications Officer portfolio kicked off with a blinder, with a sundowner at the Matilda Bay foreshore. Beautiful scenic views, about 80 undergraduate attendees and Gary Lau beginning his UCO food tour – it was heating up from the start.

We had a change of exec liaison from VPI to VPE and Jacke didn’t disappoint. Sound advice, a relaxed demeanor and above-average haircut made the job easy and I have to give him some credit.

The subcom of undergraduates including CB, liv, mik, errands, ci and Canada; as well as social internal communications officer Jimmy nogo and chief undergraduate exec liaison chatto could not go unnoticed – going above and beyond during their tenure.

The bulletin consisted of a series of polls where Bulla raspberry splits and sneakers became crowd favourites; golf became a regular feature with in-depth critical reviews from yours truly; tasteful memes and we occasionally mentioned some UCO related stuff.

Throughout the year we hosted a suturing and plastering night with a chemical spill nearly ending the night if it wasn’t for some borderline illegal ingenuity from the UCO subcom. We made regular appearances at orientation events and open-days. Finally a ‘Day in the Life of a Doctor’ seminar feat.

Jimmy nogos, oli-bae and David, and WAMSS’s very own Emily Alfonsi. Due to some unfortunate last minute cancellations we were unable to run the annual WAMSS+HSS Quiz Night but I’m sure it’ll get a run off the bench next year and we can’t wait to see what next years UCO can bring.

It’s been a great year and once again thanks to Jack, the broader exec and the amazing subcom for all your help.

Hamish

UWASS The UWASS events calendar scrubbed up well in 2018 with lectures, suturing workshops and social nights spread throughout the year. At our first lecture night, we hosted Dr Nikki Stamp, a cardiothoracic surgeon and strong advocate for women in surgery. We were also joined by leading bariatric surgeon and CTEC director, Prof Jeff Hamdorf. Our annual Unforgettable Cases event was, as the name suggests, a memorable experience. Mr James Savundra OAM divulged details of his life saving surgeries in developing countries and internationally-renowned neurosurgeon Mr Stephen Lewis discussed the intricacies of neurosurgery and his most remarkable cases to date.

The Women in Surgery symposium had a fantastic turn out and we were privileged to be joined by the Australian Defence Force this year.

With expanding event calendars across several medical student groups, we were stitched up by clashes throughout the year. Ortho Essentials ended up just two weeks before 4th year exams but it was a success nonetheless. We will be welcoming the next UWASSCommittee in the coming months and look forward to what they have in store for 2019.

WASSIST The Western Australian Society for Students Interested in Specialist Training (WASSISST) has had a fantastic year working closely with numerous societies including WAMSS and MSAND Physician Society.

With the new year of 2018, WASSIST collaborated with GPSN and UWASS with a MD1 Welcome BBQ, introducing the various societies to the bright, naïve cohort (They had no idea what medical school was holding for them).

WASSIST then kicked off with the annual “Physician’s Pathway”, introducing medical students to the Physician training pathway.

We had Dr Robin Guttiner (Paediatric Consultant), Dr Neil Boudville (Nephrology Consultant) and Dr Rob Lethbridge (Paediatric Fellow) who provided engaging and entertaining speeches about their journey into their respective specialties.

Mid-year, WASSIST put on a fantastic night for the UWA and ND MD2 students with our “Quizzical Reasoning” event at the Cottesloe Royal Live Saving Club. It was down to the wire in our bonus rounds needing a good-old dance-off to determine the winners. Many prizes were won on a great evening for the MD2s as they prepared for clinical years.

We followed this with our Networking Event for the final year students with door prizes from MIPS and BOQ. In a year of collaboration, WASSIST in conjunction with WAMSS, UWASS and many other societies helped hold the new Mock OSCE for the MD4s, as well as the annual Mock OSCE for the MD2s.

We look forward to seeing the new MD1s in 2019!

Electives The Alan Charters Competition and WAMSS Elective Photography Exhibition were held on Wednesday 16 May at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery. The event offered a chance for both current students and alumni of the UWA medical school to look back on the elective experiences of our final year MD cohort during the summer break.

The Alan Charter’s Competition was first launched in 1997 and aims to give final year medical students the opportunity to discuss an important topic that they encountered on their elective. The Competition is named in honour of Dr Alan Charters who practiced medicine in WA and East Africa. On the night, three finalists were able to present on speeches on their elective experiences.

The winner of the Alan Charters Prize was Jack Dewsbury with his speech on Housing and Roads: Public Health in PNG. Runner prizes were awarded to Katherine Reid for her speech Hippocratic Adventures in Ghana and Sophie Moustaka for The Great Sri Lankan Heist.

The WAMSS Elective Photography Competition allowed final year students to submit photographs from their elective experiences to highlight important topics relating to healthcare. Rachel Currie with her entry entitled “Burning Desire for Cold Comfort” was voted as the winner of the People’s Choice Photography Prize. Clark Mei with his entry “Straight Down on a Snowy Day” won the WAMSS committee prize.

The 2018 event was praised by both students and alumni who attended and we look forward to hosting the event again in 2019.

Jon La

WAMSS COMMITTEE CROSSWORD Get to know your committee!

JAMIE

BRIAN

JESS

JOSH

Across 2 Only personality flaw is being too nice and positive to everyone 4 Gary Lau's legal guardian 8 Rolled over in bed and dislocated their shoulder 10 Definition of a pretty boy. Beautiful inside and out. Girls are very disappointed he isn't attracted to the female sex 11 Jamie's constant source of anxiety 15 Has a belly button that looks like a vagina 16 Managed to get her O2 sats down to 73% voluntarily. #chokemedaddi 18 Blames his lack of memory after a couple beers on Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome 21 Will finish medicine before most people have graduated highschool 22 Tried to jump the UWA moat after Suits and Scrubs and failed spectacularly. Loves lemon in the eye 23 Hosted 2/3rds of Red Party Quiz Night before becoming too drunk to be the MC 26 Last appearance in a public social setting was when he was last single 27 TLDR: Thought handbag had been stolen from doctors office before final exams. Had general meltdown, cancelled all her cards. Found untouched bag 3 days later in doctors office on floor above.

29 Loves chickens and gardening 30 Queen of WAMSS dance 32 Broke two bones (foot and arm) playing netball and tried to walk it off 34 Responsible for conventionitis to 100+ people via being the first to drink out of the convention cup 35 Has cute Sunday night movie dates with Kate 37 Don't say you want to do anaesthetics or he'll probably murder you to decrease competition 38 Can't make it out past 10pm on the weekend 40 Ashley and Martin 41 Turned up to 1st year SCA questionably sober

Down 1 Once upon a time ate a tampon on orientation camp 3 Got handcuffed after a 21st 5 Lost all ID on the 1st night of Sydney convention. Had passport mailed to them the next day, accidentally sent to Melbourne 6 Swam across the Swan River after she lost odds 7 Hello? Loam? Kek? 9 Can play the recorder with her nose 12 Didn't know who the prime minister of Australia was 13 Has two barely functioning knees 14 Two boys, one ball 17 Sassiest person on the WAMSS committee 19 Mistranslation resulted in them eating fried turtle in South America 20 Mum still packs his lunch for him on placement 24 Fainted during a child-birth during their O+G rotation 25 Goes to events for the sole purpose of free food 28 Mistakenly grabbed shoe-polish instead of lube with a female companion 31 Favourite past-time is watching Dr Pimple Popper on Youtube 33 Envies Yang's calves and is strongly considering calf implants 36 Pick up line he once said to a girl: "I have neuro-syphilis" (he doesn't) 39 Loves getting naked at committee getaway

From the Prof Prof. Paul McGurgan Do medical schools influence medical student professional opinions?

The Professional Opinions of Medical Students (POMS) project was an online, anonymous survey performed in 2016 with 3,171 Australian and New Zealand medical students participating (15-20% of students from all registered medical schools). Students were asked their opinion on a wide range of professionally challenging situations such as forging signatures, use of social media, alcohol and illicit drug use and reporting other health professionals for unprofessional behaviour. Two of the aims of the study were to determine how frequently students encounter professionally challenging situations and explore the influence of various contexts in professional decision making.

In this article we review the survey’s results with respect to whether medical schools influence medical student professional opinions. We examined this as a number of studies since the 1950’s have shown that medical students’ professional values decline as they progress through the course. Likewise there has been an increasing trend towards graduate entry for medical students over the years with studies advocating post-graduate entry as a means of improving medical student’s professionalism and ability to work as doctors. However the evidence for this is very limited.

The POMS results demonstrated that whilst students’ encountered a wide variety of professionally challenging situations (Graph 1), the type of course entry (undergraduate versus postgraduate) had minimal effect on how students viewed the professionalism dilemmas. However the students’ stage in the medical course had a marked effect on their opinions for a number of the professionalism scenarios, not usually for the better. POMS data showed that students were significantly more likely to consider it acceptable to misuse alcohol, drugs and social media as they progressed though the course, and less discerning towards infection precautions, patient confidentiality, and mandatory attendance.

In a survey based study like this we must be careful not to infer too much. Although the student population sampled was large and representative, the respondents were asked their opinions of a protagonist’s behaviour and not whether they would engage in these activities.

Likewise association is not the same as causation; the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. That said, the POMS results are congruent with the published literature and merit further discussion.

From the Prof Prof. Paul McGurgan If we postulate as to why students opinions would differ depending on their stage in the course, Kulac et al found that medical students more commonly perceived unprofessional behaviours as being ‘acceptable’ if the student had either observed or participated in the activity. This can be explained by a form of cognitive dissonance, students try to normalise the professionalism breaches they witness or participate in. The other major factor to consider here is the effect of the hidden curriculum. There is a fundamental difference between what students are taught and what they learn. Students’ exposure to the clinical workplace brings them into close contact with a range of personalities and challenging situations Clinicians and educators may espouse high standards of professional behaviour and positive role modelling, but the literature on students’ experience of clinical practice is replete with stories of bullying, sexual harassment and other unprofessional behaviours. The effects on this for student wellbeing and implications for how students view professionalism is increasingly recognised.

This is the paradox of one of medical educations’ central tenets- medical schools place great value in students developing a professional identity as part of their medical education, yet the majority of information from the literature shows that this comes at a cost to their professional values.

Take home message: Medical students are exposed to a wide variety of professionally challenging situations as they progress through the course. POMS data indicates this has a negative effect on their professionalism opinions. We should heed Osler’s’ advice, ‘the value of experience is not in seeing much, but in seeing wisely’.

Acknowledgments: The author would like to thank all of the medical students who participated in the survey and the POMS project team (Drs Katrina Calvert, Kiran Narula, Christine Jorm, and Tony Celenza).

From Boudey Boy Prof. Neil Boudeville I am one of those sad doctors whose wife was in the same year of medical school with me!! Our first day as a doctor was full of excitement and exceeded our every expectation and for my wife her every fear. Her first shift was a night shift (no longer allowed for interns) and included 2 Arrest calls (back then there were no MET calls and all Arrests were as they sound, actual ARRESTS!).

Also, back then the Arrest team was fundamentally the intern covering wards and a very tired medical registrar who had to work all the day before and also the next day, occasionally the ICU registrar and the ED registrar would turn up too. The good old days!

One of my most interesting Arrest calls was when I was the medical registrar, it was my birthday and I was proudly wearing the white cable knit jumper my wife had given me (yes cable knit!). I was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;expertlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; resuscitating the patient on a surgical ward when I decided that I needed to intubate him. As I was passing the tube down his mouth it soon became apparent what was causing the patient to arrest as a fountain of blood propelled out of the patient all over me and my brand new white jumper!

Needless to say, there are literally hundreds of other memories that I have from my time as a doctor. They evoke the full range of emotions from excitement, sadness, surprise, happiness to pure terror. Thinking of all of these memories fills me totally with envy to what you all have in front of you. Your years and years of hard work has all been for this. Thrive in every aspect of what you are going to experience, everything is going to be amazing. My medical degree has opened so many doors for me, I have met so many incredible people (including you guys!), it has helped me travel the world and has pushed my brain to the absolute limits.

The one piece of advice I will give you is that if you want to achieve things in this profession the keys are to have a good work ethic, be kind and be fun to work with. I have been reasonably successful so far in my career (I think) and very little of it has been due to any particular talent but rather my willingness to work hard, be reliable and be friendly (and respectful) to everyone. I am beyond excited for all of you.

From ‘the Nash’ Prof. Avinash Bhardwaj I shall begin with my most favourite quote from T. S. Eliot : “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”

Eliot wrote these lines when the term ‘information technology’ was not even dreamt of. In the present era, when time constraint and the ‘knowledge explosion’ are major forces, educational processes can easily fall in the trap of being information intensive. Harnessing information into a logical body is the essence of gaining knowledge. Seeing the broad picture and realising the scope and limitations of application of knowledge are signs of wisdom. Information, knowledge and wisdom are all important as pillars of medical practice.

Fundamental scientific concepts and facts are crucial to every situation. One cannot afford to lose sight of the basics. With careful reasoning, most situations can be analysed on the foundations in basic sciences.

Unfortunately, for generations in the past, an emphasis on trivial detail has dominated the teaching of these sciences. This has led to the erosion of the real value of these areas. My effort has always been to impress the need to see the wood, not just trees.

There is a need for urging all concerned to go back to basics and see the wood.

One must also realise that what is common is not necessarily normal; and what is ‘popular’ is not necessarily the best.

Educational philosophies often acquire ‘cult status’. Downsides of any system are often shoved under the carpet. We all have gone through one or the other system, despite the ups and downs. However, real medical education begins now!

If you think rationally and realistically and then feel that something around you is not truly the best, be a rebel, express fearlessly and stand your ground. Of course there is a price to be paid – I have been a ‘rebel anatomist’ and have paid the price from time to time. However, today, as I retire from formal employment at the end of 42 long years, I see only the immense gain from what I have done in all these years. The following of literally thousands of medical students, the love they have showered on me, is my reward. Formal awards for excellence is one expression of the love and affection. For you, patient outcomes and patients’ sentiments will be the reward.

I wish you all a fruitful career in Medicine – may you live true to your own self and always do the right thing.

- Avinash

Wellness Cooking Profiteroles with Custard Cream & Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients For the Choux Pastry • 250 ml (1 cup) water • 90 g (6 tbsp.) butter, cubed • 150 g (1 cup) plain flour, sifted • pinch salt • 2 tsp sugar • 3 - 4 large eggs

For the Custard Cream Filling • 500 ml (2 cups) milk • 350 ml (1.5 cups) heavy cream • 4 tsp vanilla essence • 6 egg yolks • 150 g (2/3 cup) caster sugar • 100 g (2/3 cup) flour

For the Chocolate Sauce • 113 g (3/4 cup) dark baking chocolate • 2 tbsp. butter • 65 ml (1/4 cup) thickened cream • 2 tbs. sugar

Instructions For the Choux Pastry: 1. Pre-heat oven to 425 F. (220 C.) 2. Combine water and butter in a saucepan and bring just to the boil.

3. Remove pan from the heat. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and sugar. In one go, add these dry ingredients to the water/butter mixture.

4. Over medium heat, stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a dough and falls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

5. Beginning with three eggs, beat in one egg at a time, stirring in each egg until the dough mixture is smooth and the egg is fully incorporated. After the third egg, the dough should be elastic and fall easily away from your spoon or spatula. If the dough is still a bit stiff, then add another ½ egg or another full egg until the dough reaches the right consistency; the dough should not be 'runny' like pancake batter but smooth and elastic.

6. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Using a piping bag with a large tipped nozzle, pipe balls of dough onto the tray (spaced at least 2 inches apart), using about 2 tbsp. of dough for each ball.

Pipe in concentric circles starting from the centre and working outwards.

7. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes at 425 F (220 C), then lower the temperature to 375 F. (190 C.) for the remaining 10-15 minutes. The pastry balls will be done when they puff up and become golden. Each ball should feel light and airy.

8. Turn off oven and remove the tray from the oven; slit a small hole in the base of each pastry ball to release any steam. Return the tray to the oven for another few minutes to dry out the insides of the pastry puffs.

For the Custard Cream Filling: 9. Warm the milk, cream and vanilla flavouring together over medium heat- do not boil.

10. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg yolks for at least 30 seconds until the mixture becomes smooth and pale yellow in colour, then add the flour.

11. Over medium heat, gradually whisk in the egg/sugar mixture to the milk/cream mixture.

Continue whisking until the mixture thickens slightly- if the custard is so thick that it will not pour easily, then add a little more milk or cream. Place in the fridge until chilled; the custard will continue to thicken some as it chills.

12. Transfer custard into your piping bag once chilled and pipe into each pastry puff by making a hole with the nozzle in the base of each.

For the Chocolate Sauce: 13. Over low heat, melt together the chocolate and butter. Mix in the cream and sugar and stir until the sauce is thick and smooth.

14. Drizzle custard filled pastry puffs with the melted chocolate and chill

SOCKRATES

Thank you!

FOR LOOKING AT ME