President
Dr WU Wing Yee Clara
Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine
Dear Fellows and Trainees,
I take great pleasure to prepare this year’s presidential address.
2023 marks the completion of my first term as College President. In the past years, I have seen the unwavering passion of our colleagues in achieving and maintaining professional excellence. Indeed, we have taken a big step in various areas.
The Research Office (RO) was established in 2022 as suggested by the HKCEM Research Task Force. As an advisory body, the Research Office has come up with strategic plans to foster collaboration among stakeholders and to promulgate research initiatives by engagement of stakeholders in wider scope. Since 2022, a total of HK$ 120,341 of research grant have been approved for 2 research studies. One study was completed and published in the Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine in June 2023.
Doctor’s wellbeing is always our concern. COVID-19 has a significant impact on how we interact with others and the associated challenges can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions. This year, we have conducted a survey on the mental wellness of our fellows and trainees by a trainee of College. The findings are alarming as we note that a quarter of respondents had high overall burnout and the results will be prepared for publication later. Wellbeing is a multifactorial issue. We already have an established framework under the umbrella of Academy. At College level, our wellbeing taskforce continues to look into this matter, to enhance the wellbeing of our colleagues with the engagement of our partners including Hong Kong Society for Emergency Medicine and Surgery (HKSEMS), Hong Kong College of Emergency Nursing (HKCEN) and Hong Kong Emergency Nurses Association (HKENA).
The theme of Scientific Symposium on Emergency Medicine (SSEM) this year is “First Response, Lasting Impact” (院前急救 環環相扣). You may notice that this is the first time we introduce a prehospital “SimWar” session. Prehospital care is an integral part of Emergency Medicine and we have been putting effort in promoting this area to our fellows. By introducing this kind of simulation training, our fellows are provided with the realistic training and repeated rehearsals of specific management of critical incidences.
It has always been my belief that College should extend our influence from local to our motherland, and to the wider world. I see that we have already set our course. We are providing support to the accreditation of Specialist Training programme in numerous hospitals in Greater Bay Area. Our former presidents, Dr HO Hiu Fai and Dr SIU Yuet Chung, Axel serve as the Vice President of International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) and the immediate-past President of Asian Society for Emergency Medicine (ASEM) respectively. This year, Dr Siu Yuet Chung Axel and I are invited to join as members of IFEM subcommittee of Governance Committee and Finance Committee respectively. We will continue to strengthen the collaboration and ties with our global partners.
Looking back at the last 3 years, I am proud to say that, despite the onslaughts of COVID-19 and the social uncertainties in Hong Kong, College has made great progress in our established directions. This would not be possible without the passion, effort and commitment from all of you. A big thank you to you all. Thank you very much!
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Clara Wu