Rural Medicine Australia is coming to Melbourne 19-21 October 2017

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) have partnered to bring the very best of rural and remote medicine to Melbourne. ACRRM and RDAA invite all rural and remote medical practitioners and allied health professionals to the Rural Medicine Australia (RMA17) Conference, 19-21 October in Melbourne. Early bird sale is on now.

Call for Abstracts extended to 16 July 2017

RMA17 will be held in Melbourne from 19 – 21 October 2017 and will be focusing on the themes of sports medicine, research in policy and practice and climate change and health. We encourage you to submit an abstract that explores the wider issues associated with these themes, as we are looking for a variety of topics and presentation styles.

As an example, you might present about a case of a retired athlete you treat for their lingering sports injuries or skin cancers resulting from years of training in the sun. Or consider the ways that climate change can impact mental and physical health of rural and remote communities.

Worried your abstract idea doesn’t fit our themes? You can still submit for review. During the application process, simply select “Unsure” on the Themes page of the application form.

Responses to abstract submissions will be finalised by mid to late August 2017.

Start planning your presentation in line with our three themes now, and submit all presentations for review during our online Call for Abstracts, open until 16 July 2017.

Keynote Speakers confirmed

This year’s themes are Sports Medicine, Research in policy and practice, and Climate Change and health. We have an exciting line up of keynotes ready to present their thoughts and research, including Dr Bob Brown (Bob Brown Foundation), Dr David Hughes (Chief Medical Officer; Australian Institute of Sport) and Mr Tim Kelsey (Chief Executive, Australian Digital Health Agency).

Dr David Hughes oversees the day-to-day functioning of the Department of Sports Medicine at the Australian Institute of Sport, and was Medical Director for the Australian Olympic Team in Rio in 2016. Dr Hughes will discuss sports-related concussion injuries on Thursday 19 October.

Tim Kelsey is Chief Executive of the Australian Digital Health Agency, and was formerly National Director for Patients and Information for the National Health Service and National Information Director for Health and Care in England. Mr Kelsey will discuss the current status of the My Health record, and digital health strategies in Australia on Friday 20 October.

Dr Bob Brown has remained a high-profile advocate for environmental issues since his first speech in the Senate in 1996. After resigning from Senate in 2012 he organised the Bob Brown Foundation to help fight damage to Australia’s natural environment. Dr Brown will discuss climate change and rural health on Saturday 21 October.

RMA regularly attracts over 550 healthcare professionals. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues and discover the latest innovations in rural and remote medicine – secure your tickets today.

To find out more about RMA17, please visit the website or contact  ACRRM on 1800 223 226.