Advanced Trainee Weekend in Brisbane
By Benignus Logan
Following this year’s main Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), the Advanced Trainee Weekend was held on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Ninety-six attendees gathered from across Australia and New Zealand. The feedback from those who attended has been very favourable.
The trainees relished the opportunity to come together face-to-face to see their old colleagues and friends, and to network with new acquaintances.
It was a thrill to be able to see so many passionate doctors seeking to enhance their knowledge for the benefit of the older people who place their trust in them. The questions posed in sessions, and conversations had during the breaks, demonstrated their curiosity to learn and their interest in improving how care is delivered to patients.
We were most grateful to the speakers from inside and outside of the ANZSGM community who gave up their time to prepare and deliver presentations on a wide range of topics. The Friday afternoon commenced with Professor Maria Fiatarone Singh, the Australian keynote for the ASM. She put forward a passionate argument for the trainees to better understand, and practice, screening of exercise. She also set out an approach to consider exercise in the management of many of the comorbid health conditions older people are living with. It was inspiring to see her passionate person-centred approach to patient care.
Dr Christy Noble, a medical educator from the University of Queensland, then addressed the trainees on feedback literacy. She challenged the audience to stop using the “feedback sandwich”, and transition to a process where the learner has an active role to play in seeking, sense-making and responding to feedback. This was followed by Dr Jeremy Hayllar, the director of Metro North Addiction Medicine, who gave a case-based lecture on “Substance use disorders: Boomers and beyond”. It was a very pragmatic and informative session.
Professor Ken Rockwood closed out the Friday with another engaging presentation, this time focused on how trainees can ‘read’ the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and utilise it to communicate with the MDT and colleagues about a patient’s status. He was good enough to join the Friday evening drinks, much to the delight of the trainees.
On Saturday morning Dr Aisling Fleury, the director of perioperative medicine at Logan Hospital, and Tracy Picket, a leading defendant medical negligence lawyer in Brisbane, spoke about how trainees can best approach patient complaints. They also provided insights into what to expect should someone be subpoenaed to court. Dr Kristen Lefever, a neurologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital, then gave a comprehensive and practical address on the assessment of tremor. It allowed trainees to feel more competent and confident in approaching this movement disorder when they see it in their clinics.
The Saturday session finished with two highly respected and remarkable Geriatricians, Dr Catherine Yelland and Professor Ruth Hubbard. For many this was a highlight of the whole program. They both gave a most entertaining reflection on their careers, and lives more broadly, and offered frank unvarnished advice to the trainees.
The future is bright with this great group of individuals completing their Geriatric Advanced Training. We all look forward to gathering again next year in Christchurch.
