Welcome to the first edition of AMSA's e-newsletter, Embolus, for 2008. If you're subscribed to AMSA you will automatically receive Embolus in your inbox every month. If you're not subscribed you can sign up by clicking here. Subscription is free and gives you access to AMSA events, publications and member benefits.

AMSA has long been a passionate advocate for continuing quality in medical education in the face of increasing student numbers. Now that more medical students are starting to enter the clinical years, AMSA has shifted its advocacy activities towards ensuring that we continue to get high quality training in these settings. The new AMSA policy on Quality Clinical Placements was ratified at February National Council. You can read it here and provide feedback by emailing advocacy@amsa.org.au.

The issue of pharmaceutical company sponsorship of doctors has been especially topical of late. Medical students are in a particularly precarious position, not being explicitly covered by the laws and standards relating to promotion of pharmaceuticals to either doctors or the general public. In light of this, AMSA February National Council ratified the AMSA guidelines for the interaction between pharmaceutical companies and Australian medical students. The guidelines have been circulated widely, including to Medicines Australia for consideration in their Code of Conduct review later this year.

Competition is hotting up for the AMSA Community Cup, the most anticipated Australian race this side of the Stawell Gift. This July, Medical Societies from around Australia will bring their charity initiatives, run over the preceding 12 months, to do battle in AMSA Council's very own "Atlasphere". The best news is that due to a rules change at AMSA Februrary Council, Global Health Groups, Rural Health Clubs and other medical student clubs are, for the first time, able to enter their charity initiatives.

Initiatives are judged in four categories: originality; total contribution; community response; and student involvement, with the victorious initiative being announced at AMSA Convention. To submit an entry for the Community Cup or to advertise your initiative on the AMSA Community Bulletin Board email community@amsa.org.au. In the meantime, start being charitable.

The AMSA Global Health Conference, growing in scope and popularity since its inception as the Developing World Conference four years ago, has sold 500 first-round offer places in under 15 minutes. The GHC will be held in Melbourne from July 4 to 6. Speakers at this year's conference will include Julian Burnside QC, Tim Costello and Sir Gustav Nossal. For more information on the AMSA GHC click here.

The demand for a delegate position at the AMSA National Convention was so high come registration evening that the volume of traffic to the AMSA website crashed the server. While this was disappointing for the almost 2000 people attempting to register for the 800 delegate places, it indicates the demand for this year's convention in Melbourne is unprecedented. The convention team are working hard to find a server which will support this volume of traffic and will be relaunching registration shortly. Stay tuned here for up to the minute details.

AMSA Global is pleased to announce the inaugural Training New Trainers (TnT) program to be held immediately prior to the Global Health Conference in July. At TnT students will learn techniques to up skill their peers in project management, leadership and advocacy. For more information on the program contact our Global Health Officer at global@amsa.org.au.

The International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA) holds General Assemblies in March and August of every year. The 2008 March General Assembly was held in Monterrey, Mexico. The 16 Australian delegates who attended the March 1-7 meeting immersed themselves in sessions on migration, human rights, HIV/AIDS, malaria and medical education. The next General Assembly is being held in Jamaica from August 7-14. For information on how to get a delegate position stay tuned to the AMSA Website.

This year AMSA in conjunction with the National Rural Health Network (NRHN) will be providing four $1000 bursaries for medical, nursing and allied health students to undertake electives in rural areas. In addition AMSA and NRHN are running an Indigenous health essay competition with two prizes to be awarded to medical and allied health students worth $1000 each. For more information or to apply for the bursaries click here)

From humble beginnings in the land of big pineapples and retirees, AMSA has had a colourful, wonderful and eventful history. Unfortunately, it seems as though everyone was having far too good a time to record any of it. Now one year out from our 50th anniversary, AMSA is trying to recoup that lost history with the AMSA history project. Any leads you have on AMSA photos, publications, paraphernalia or people from yesteryear would be most appreciated. Email history@amsa.org.au to share your scoop.

The 2008 Intern and Resident Guide (IRG) is now available to download from the AMSA website. The IRG, one of AMSA's mostly eagerly anticipated publications, details the salary, employment and lifestyle conditions at every Australian hospital which accepts interns. The IRG is also being produced in hard copy and will be distributed via AMSA Representatives shortly.

The first edition of AMSA's biannual magazine, Panacea, is due out in but a few short months. To ensure you receive your copy make sure you Subscribe to AMSA. Subscription is free and entitles you to home delivery of Panacea twice a year, monthly Embolus e-newsletters, and access to AMSA's extensive range of events, initiatives and membership benefits. In the mean time why not brush up on some past editions of Panacea.

©2008 Australian Medical Students' Association Limited
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