Andrology Australia Year in Review 2015 0.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Since its inception, Andrology Australia has been a unique “centre without walls”, drawing on contributions by Australia’s leading experts in the YEAR IN REVIEW 2015 medical, social, and public health fields, to provide quality, evidence- based men’s health programs. In each of the activities undertaken, the Chairman s program aims for the improvement of men’s health. ’ Educating the general community Also with a view to the future, Associate and health professionals on male Professor Doug Lording conducted Report reproductive health disorders is the key a review of the management and area of focus for Andrology Australia. A organisational structure of Andrology significant project in 2015 was the release Australia. A number of observations and of an improved professional education recommendations were presented to Features : platform, and using this new platform the Board for consideration, several of - 04 - Farewell to Carol Holden to release an expanded catalogue of which are planned for implementation education. These new and renewed throughout 2016 and beyond. - 06 - 2015 in summary courses will ensure that GPs, nurses, and While there have been highlights for other health professionals are equipped - 08 - Supporting men's health with the latest knowledge to respond Andrology Australia in 2015, there was in the community to patients who are encouraged by our also sadness with the passing of our community education programs to seek founding Chairman, Mr Mark Rayner, help or advice. in May. Mark joined the Andrology - 10 - Five things dads need Australia Advisory Board at its inception to tell their sons Andrology Australia participated in a in 2000 and served continuously until number of fruitful collaborations and his retirement from the role in 2013. - 12 - Health partnerships in 2015. A strong supporter and advocate for communication men’s health, he continued to support > our experts contributed to an expert Andrology Australia after his retirement advisory panel on PSA testing for from the Board. Mark was an integral -14 - Examining the evidence the Prostate Cancer Foundation of part of Andrology Australia from the very Australia and Cancer Council Australia start, and the Board and staff have always -16 - Professional valued his commitment to men’s health. education > we continued our partnership with Cancer Australia to develop national Our CEO Dr Carol Holden moved on -18 - Andrology fellows data set specifications for prostate to a new career challenge in 2015, cancer and testicular cancer after 15 years’ service. Carol was the first employee of Andrology Australia, -20 - Enhancing the education > entered into a new partnership with appointed by Professor David de Kretser of tomorrow’s doctors the Australian Fertility Medicine in 2000. Since then she has overseen Foundation to plan a research study the expansion and development of the -22 - Supporting Aboriginal and aimed at finding out more about the Andrology Australia project in areas of Torres Strait Islander men's health fertility knowledge and health literacy research, professional education, and of young Australian men, and how they public awareness. Under her leadership, seek help for fertility issues. -24 - Partnerships and collaborations Andrology Australia has become a nationally and internationally respected It has become apparent that we need -26 - About Andrology Australia to better engage with younger men. We model for the promotion of male health. We thank Carol for all of her great work need to know what they know and— -32 - Publications and presentations more importantly—don’t know about and wish her well for the future. their health, both now and into the Finally, we thank the Australian future. In 2016 we are preparing to host a -34 - Helping make ideas reality Government Department of Health for its high level forum with organisations and ongoing commitment to men’s health in experts in the men’s health space, as well -36 - Financial report Australia. The continued support of the as government and other stakeholders, Andrology Australia program helps ensure to develop a coordinated approach to that men, their families, and health -37 - Donation form encouraging all men aged 18–25 years professionals have continued access to to undertake an early health check, evidence-based education and training delivered in a primary care setting. about male reproductive health disorders Health for Mr David Crawford AO, and associated conditions. Chairman Five things dads need to the modernPage 4man tell their sons Page 10 3 Much of the overall success of the Andrology Australia program can be attributed to Dr Carol Holden’s hard work, professionalism, and dedication to raising the profile of the program and of men’s health more broadly. After her 15 years’ commitment to the program, we find ourselves heading into uncharted waters, without Carol’s steady hand on the tiller. Right from the start Carol was largely responsible A highlight, of which she can be very proud, for realising Professor David de Kretser’s vision was her work with the Andrology Australia of what the program should become. She helped Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health position the program as the peak national Reference Group. Carol played an important, authority on a range of men’s health issues, gaining but unassuming role, in advocating for greater widespread support and recognition from both her support to build future leadership and capacity peers and the broader community. for health professionals and researchers working with Indigenous males. Such work over many She also made a significant contribution to raising years can only be achieved when high levels of the profile of men’s health and shaping men’s trust, sensitivity, and respect are apparent to health policy and practice in Australia, having build mutual acceptance and understanding, made major contributions to formulating inputs particularly in an area of health that is regarded as for policy-makers at both State and Federal levels. sensitive and confronting. Her in-depth knowledge and understanding of the sector also led her to identify new and effective Carol’s leadership has been nothing short of collaborations, which is another key to the exemplary. She has provided the Andrology program’s success as well as helping to keep men’s Australia program with the direction, vision and health on the national agenda. momentum that has brought it success, and we wish her the same success in her future endeavours. Carol’s absolute insistence on quality in presentation and content has been a cornerstone of many of Andrology Australia’s projects. For example, the ability of Andrology Australia to effectively translate complex research evidence for Professor Robert I McLachlan, both professional and community audiences is a Director hallmark of her leadership of the program. 15 years of men s health We asked Dr Carol Holden to reflect on her’ time Every year since 2005, Andrology Australia has with Andrology Australia, what had changed over developed a new engaging and informative men’s the years, and to name a few highlights; these are health awareness campaign in support of Men’s her top six. Health Week. The Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS) Andrology Australia’s education and training for was the first accurate picture of reproductive health professionals helps to improve knowledge health in Australian men aged over 40 years. of male reproductive health disorders and associated conditions. Online delivery ensures With its high quality and professional design, access for health professionals working in all Farewell to the Andrology Australia orchidometer (a medical settings, from city to rural and remote. device for qualified health professionals to measure testis size) has become a symbol of One of the most significant changes in the Andrology Australia’s commitment to quality. last ten years was the development of the first National Male Health Policy, launched in May Andrology Australia's first community health 2010 by the Australian Government. The Policy, awareness campaign, “What every man needs together with its nine supporting documents, to know”, was more than just a successful provided a comprehensive analysis of male health campaign, it also gave Andrology Australia its tag issues and a framework for action to improve line and produced A User's Guide, a health health outcomes for all males across Australia. Carol Holden information brochure that has become the single most requested resource in the Andrology Australia catalogue. 5 MEN'S HEALTH WEEK EVENTS SUPPORTED: 520 CONSUMER GUIDES DISTRIBUTED TO DATE: 16,400 VIEWS OF MEN'S HEALTH TOPICS ON THE WEBSITE: 700,000 VIEWS ON THE WEBSITE: 2015 1,025,000 in summary CLINICAL SUMMARY GUIDES DOWNLOADED: 7,000 NEWSLETTERS DISTRIBUTED EACH QUARTER: 16,000 7 Health promotion Supporting Our brochure A User’s Guide: What every man needs to know remains a popular resource with more than 320,000 guides distributed to date. The brochure is also available in 12 different languages that can be downloaded from the Andrology men s health in Australia website. To date, more than 41,000 hard copies of ' the male fertility booklet “Your sperm and how to look after them” have been distributed. The booklet was developed the community by Andrology Australia in conjunction Andrology Australia is one of the few reliable sources that men can turn to for information about their reproductive with the Fertility Society of Australia and health. For most men, our unbiased evidence-based information is just what they need to fill their knowledge gap. Access Australia. Our free informational resources are available in the ‘Your Health’ section of our website (www.andrologyaustralia.org/ In 2015, we distributed 16,400 copies your-health/), and many of the resources can also be ordered in printed form. The Andrology Australia website provides (printed and online) of our consumer instant and anonymous access to quality information, at a time and place that’s convenient for men—a great option for guides.