Inside News June 2022 | A Message from the President

A critical time for caring about contribution

Clin A/Prof Sanjay Jeganathan

In my last message, I quoted the famous line from John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech in 1961 and implied that, in a time of crisis and heightened need, we as a group of medical practitioners ought to be asking themselves what we can do for others, not what others may do for us.

Coming from the elected head of an elite medical college—one that devotes significant resources advocating in the professional interests of its members— the message might appear a little mixed in its sentiment. It's undeniable, we spend a lot of time talking to government and other stakeholders about what we believe they should be doing for us. And we will continue to do so, especially with a new government and parliament in Canberra. So let me explain and, in doing so, give the Kennedy quote more clarity and purpose than one of mere sentiment.

When President Kennedy made his famous speech the world was in the chilly grip of the Cold War, just months before the Cuban missile crisis in which the superpowers flirted with all-out nuclear war and potentially the greatest man-made catastrophe in our history. In a short speech devoted chiefly to the protection of freedom, he spoke not only of his adversary in Moscow but also of the poor, the miserable and the ill throughout the world who craved the ‘wonders of science’ to give them ‘a more fruitful life’. At a time of deep crisis, Kennedy and his advisers sensed the opportunity at hand to make the world anew. At the same time, he felt the burden for this historic vision lay not so much in the hands of the government he led but in the hands of his fellow citizens—hence his exhortation ‘Ask not what your country will do for you; ask what you can do for your country’.

Today we find ourselves in the grip of a deadly global pandemic, at the doorstep of a new cold war which is disrupting trade, food security and vital medical supplies. Once again we are acutely aware of the continual struggle, as was JFK, against the common enemies of ‘tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.’ In the 21st century we might add climate change to that list. The antidote for these woes is a united effort in the interests of the common good. As highly-trained clinicians, we have the power to save or improve individual lives; and, as active members of an elite international organisation, we have influence enough in high places to promote a better future for all. When the College advocates on behalf of its members, it seeks not just to improve our working conditions and standards, it also seeks to deliver the best health care to the greatest number of people, and to enlist the brightest minds in a culturally diverse society to join our cause.

The word ‘crisis’ has a medical origin: a turning point, the time to decide what to do. In contemplating the task to ‘undo the heavy burdens’ of the world, Kennedy simply said, ’Let us begin’. My message to my medical colleagues is simple enough too: there's never been a better time to step up and make a contribution to lessen the burden on others. You can decide for yourself just

how you make a contribution, but ask me if you're looking for inspiration. It may be through participation (your time), it may be through donation (your money), it may be through application (your abilities). It's important to make a difference, however small. And it's important to set an example to others and help each of us and those who will follow us in our profession to be the best citizens we can be. To do any less is to forfeit our clinical conscience and concede much of our role to the increasingly clever machines that deign to replace us. I hope you agree.

Finally, on the theme of contribution, a regrettable postscript: fees for our trainees are to rise significantly from 1 July this year and in 2023. This was a painful decision for us. But no organisation is immune to the impacts of the challenging times, including our College, which has incurred substantial costs associated with the disruption caused by the pandemic. This has been especially so in our training programs, which were completely redeveloped for their safe delivery and for the assessment of trainees in a postpandemic world. The new investments have drawn heavily on the College's reserves and are not sustainable without some replenishment from the membership. Any member or trainee at risk of financial hardship as a result of the increases should contact College staff for information on obtaining assistance in paying their fees.

Clin A/Prof Sanjay Jeganathan