Australian Postgraduate Federation in Medicine

The Australian Postgraduate Federation in Medicine (APFM) was established in Sydney in 1954 and was originally established as a federation of the various postgraduate committees in Australia. At that stage the administration of the APFM was handled by the Executive of one of the member committees. In 1962, the structure of the APFM was changed to that of a company, registered in the Australian Capital Territory.

The concept of a federated co-operative organisation belonged to the late Dr Victor Coppleson of Sydney University Faculty of Medicine, who, with the support of colleagues interstate, established the APFM. He envisaged the APFM as the national umbrella body representing postgraduate medical education throughout Australia, there being no other body with such broad aims. His efforts have been recognised in the Coppleson Oration delivered each year in association with the annual general meeting and Forum of the APFM.

Following the adoption of the company structure, the APFM headquarters were located in Sydney. The Secretariat was then hosted by the Victorian Medical Postgraduate Foundation (VMPF) and the South Australian Postgraduate Medical Education Association (SAPMEA) for approximately ten years each. In 1995 the Secretariat moved to the Hunter Postgraduate Medical Institute (HPMI) and with the exception of a short move back to SAPMEA, remained there until 2004.

In July, 2004, the APFM Secretariat relocated to VMPF. The 2005-2006 Office Bearers are:

President:	Professor J.W.G. Tiller (VMPF)
Immediate Past President:	Professor A. Hewson (HPMI)
Deputy President:	Dr C. Hughes (SAPMEA)
Treasurer:	Associate Professor B. Sweet (VMPF)
Secretary:	Ms A. Dancer (VMPF)

The Secretariat can be contacted by:
Postal address: c/o VMPF, Level 8, Aikenhead Wing, 27 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy VIC 3065
ph: (03)9415 1177, fax: (03)9416 2624
or email: apfm@vmpf.org.au

The APFM is now supported by seven postgraduate institutions. It is governed by a Council which meets by teleconference and an annual face-to-face meeting each year. Each institution is responsible for much of the continuing medical education in its State or Territory and the APFM provides a forum for discussion of educational issues. In addition, the APFM over the years has made many submissions to government committees of enquiry in relation to medicine, medical education and medical workforce issues.

Each year the constituent bodies of the APFM meet to discuss issues and exchange ideas relating to the practice and delivery of medical education. This meeting is usually held at the time of meeting of other national bodies which have an interest in continuing medical education.

Currently the APFM holds a back-to-back meeting with ANZAME in July each year (www.anzame.unsw.edu.au).