Good afternoon, Prof. Lo Chung Mau, Secretary for Health, Health Bureau, Prof. Gilberto Leung, President Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Dr. the Honorable David Lam, Legislative Councillor, Legislative Council, Dr. Liza To, Assistant Director of Health, Department of Health, Dr. Law Chun Bon, Kowloon West Cluster Cluster Chief Executive, Hospital Authority, Prof. Peter Schirmacher, President of the European Society of Pathology, Dr. Raed Al Dieri, Chief Executive Officer of the European Society of Pathology Presidents and representatives from Sister Colleges, Fellows, Members, Associates, ladies and gentlemen.

May I welcome you all to the conferment ceremony of our College this afternoon.

Congratulations:

Today is a very special day for our new Fellows. This marks a new milestone to recognize your tremendous effort and hard work over the past few years. Congratulations! I would also like to invite everyone in the audience to give your family, including your parents, significant others and your children, a round of applause for their unwavering support and encouragement. It is important to thank your mentors, trainers and colleagues for their guidance, as well as your patients, whom you have helped manage, for providing you with valuable training opportunities.

For those Members in the audience who have already passed their intermediate exam, I am sure it will soon be your turn for Fellowship conferment.

CME/CPD reminder and Genetic and Genomic Pathology:

To our new Fellows: Your future practice requires you to be competent in your field of practice. CME/CPD, continuing medical education/continuous professional development, is essential for your career development. As a usual practice of our College, I shall leave this part to Prof. Leung and I believe Prof. Leung from the Academy will remind you again later.

Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Faculty Development:

Following the Academy's Position Paper published in 2023, our College has committed to aligning with the Academy's latest Faculty Development initiatives. The Academy has organized several activities this year, including the 1st and 2nd Competency-based Medical Education Seminars, Basic Medical Education Courses, and Learner onLine Educator Courses. The purpose of these training events is to create a momentum for future faculty development in post-graduate medical education. A number of our College's key members have already joined these activities, and this would form the foundation for our College to follow the Academy's direction in Faculty Development.

There are several domains in the perspective of Faculty Development, including the structure of training and involvement of relevant stakeholders. Last year, we revised the Regulations to incorporate workplace-based assessments in various disciplines. Led by the Training and Examinations Committee, we are moving forward to engage College key members, Educational Supervisors, trainers and, most importantly, trainees in further enhancing training outcome. We believe that there are a number of skills our trainers need to acquire in order to ensure improved training outcomes. I hope that our trainees, who will eventually become one of our trainers in the College, will also actively engage in providing feedback on the training process.

Digital Pathology and Artificial Intelligence:

Talking about the Regulations, our College has recently revised and published the latest version of the training Regulations. The College has incorporated the concept of digital pathology in the latest regulations. I believe most of us have witnessed the rapid evolution and advancement in digital pathology over the past year and might have heard about various proposals in adoption of artificial intelligence in the field of Pathology. I would also like to report that the College Council has just endorsed the latest Guidelines in Implementation of Digital Pathology and Adoption of Artificial Intelligence. Details will be announced in due course.

I believe most of us might have been questioned or challenged about whether Artificial Intelligence will replace the role of pathologists. This was also a question I pondered about when ChatGPT first rolled out. Learning from the recent Academy Medical Education Conference, I strongly believe that the technology of artificial intelligence will not replace the role of pathologists, but pathologists using artificial intelligence will replace those who do not. The role of pathologists is unique in that we serve as a bridge between various advanced technologies in the field of laboratory medicine and clinical application. Taking reference from the field of Genetic and Genomic Pathology, we witness it being fully integrated into our clinical practice, for example, in tumour genetics, haematolymphoid malignancy, inborn errors of metabolism and immunopathology. The adoption of artificial intelligence would enhance our future working efficiency and the quality of diagnostic services. The adoption of artificial intelligence in image analysis and big data analysis may provide an edge in the next wave of technological advancement.

Green Pathology:

In addition, the implementation of the digital pathology aligns with another wave of recent development in the field of Pathology—Green Pathology. Having discussed with overseas colleagues across the globe, we realised that our College has various aspects to catch up on regarding environmental sustainability. The implementation of digital pathology represents one of the important steps to enhance our digital workflow in our daily practice. The College shall consider adopting a proactive approach to recent developments in the field of Pathology, with Green Pathology being one of the key directions.

European Society of Pathology:

One of our College's objectives is to promote advancement of knowledge in the science and art of pathology. In order to strengthen the role in promoting educational activities, our College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Society of Pathology earlier this year. I believe that this MoU would set the cornerstone for future international cooperation and foster further collaboration in the field of Pathology. I highly recommend that our College Fellows and trainees, particularly those in the specialties of Anatomical Pathology and Genetic and Genomic Pathology, learn about the various educational activities organised by the European Society of Pathology.

About dinner:

This year, our College is honoured to welcome prestigious guests from our European counterparts to join our Annual Dinner this evening. We encourage our College Fellows, Members and Associates to stay for the T.B. Teoh Foundation Lecture on "Third generation molecular pathology – from research to diagnostic implementation" by our Honorary Fellow Prof. Peter Schirmacher, followed by our Annual Dinner.

Hong Kong Academy of Medicine President Prof. Gilberto Leung:

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Prof. Gilberto Leung. Back in 2017, when I represented the College at the Academy's Young Fellows Chapter, I only marginally fulfilled the requirements to be a Young Fellow. Fortunately, it has been a privilege to have joined the Academy's Education Committee. Since then, I have had a number of opportunities to learn from Prof. Leung about the Academy's operation and participate in activities organised by the Academy. This invaluable experience has greatly benefited my career. Thank you, Prof. Leung.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to the preparation of this event. It has been a lot of hard work, as always. I wish everyone the best in the days to come.

Dr MAK Siu Ming

President

16 November 2024

Results of College Examination October 2024

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Results of College Examination September 2024

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Results of College Examination July 2024

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Viscoelastic Haemostatic Assays in Clinical Practice

Dr Joyce KWONG and Dr Eudora CHOW

Consultant Haematologists, Department of Pathology, United Christian Hospital, Hospital Authority

Volume 19, Issue 2, July 2024  (download full article in pdf)

Editorial note:

Viscoelastic haemostatic assays have emerged as a popular rapid point-of-care test to assess haemostasis in bleeding patients and serve to guide patient-tailored transfusion strategies. In this issue of Topical Update, Drs Joyce KWONG and Eudora CHOW share their valuable experience of using viscoelastic haemostatic assays to investigate and guide treatment in patients with challenging bleeding tendency. We welcome any feedback or suggestion. Please direct them to Dr Alvin IP, Education Committee, The Hong Kong College of Pathologists. Opinions expressed are those of authors or named individuals, and are not necessarily those of The Hong Kong College of Pathologists.

Volume 33, Issue 2 (click here to download the full pdf version)

I am happy to report that following the return of normalcy in Hong Kong, we have resumed connections with overseas colleagues via face-to-face meetings during overseas visits.

Together with representatives from the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and the sister Colleges, I attended the 57th Singapore-Malaysia Congress of Medicine on 19 – 21 July 2024. This 3-day event offered a valuable platform for medical professionals from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia to exchange ideas. It also provided an opportunity to reconnect with old friends I met at the International Liaison of Pathology Presidents (ILPP) 2023 Annual Meeting, as well as to make new connections.

Additionally, I represented the College at the 36th European Congress of Pathology on 7 – 11 September 2024, in Florence, Italy. I joined the European Society of Pathology (ESP) Advisory Board meeting to enhance cooperation with our European counterparts. Most importantly, the College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in Anatomical Pathology with the ESP, paving the way for future educational collaborations. This year, Professor Peter Schirmacher, the President of the ESP, and Dr Raed Al Dieri, the Chief Executive Officer of the ESP, joined our College Conferment Ceremony. Their visit underscores the cooperation between ESP and HKCPath. Professor Schirmacher delivered a webinar on “Liver Neoplasms and Mimickers” on 15 November 2024, and a T.B. Teoh Foundation Lecture on the topic “Third Generation Molecular Pathology – From Research to Diagnostic Implementation” on 16 November 2024. Many of us gave positive feedback on these events.

My last college overseas visit in 2024 concluded with the International Liaison of Pathology Presidents (ILPP) 2024. I attended the ILPP 2024 Annual Meeting, which was organized in London, U.K. Similar to last year’s ILPP, which was hosted in Hong Kong, this one-and-a-half-day business meeting offered an excellent platform for discussing various challenges in Pathology. It was not surprising to learn that we have been facing similar challenges worldwide. Our discussion yielded insightful ideas and potential solutions to the current challenges, particularly concerning the adoption of artificial intelligence in image analysis and “big data” analysis.

As mentioned in the President’s speech at the 2024 Conferment Ceremony, the College Council shall set a number of key priorities. The College Council has endorsed and published guidelines on “Implementation of Digital Pathology and Adoption of Artificial Intelligence” for our members’ reference. Aligning with the Academy’s initiatives for faculty development will be our College's primary focus in the coming few years. A proactive approach to Green Pathology will also be initiated.

Dr MAK Siu Ming

President

2 December 2024

Volume 33, Issue 1 (click here to download the full pdf version)

Message from the President

It is my great pleasure to write my first message in the College newsletter. Following the Annual General Meeting held on 25 November 2023, I have assumed the position of College President. That evening, I had the privilege of sharing a memorable and enjoyable dinner, a long-awaited one after the COVID era, with our esteemed past Presidents, including Dr MAK Wai Ping, Dr LEE Kam Cheong, Prof CHEUNG Nga Yin, Annie, Dr CHAN Ho Ming and Dr CHAN Chak Lam, Alexander. Through these interactions, I gained a deeper understanding of the immense responsibilities that come with being a President, and I am committed to upholding the legacy of our predecessors.

As mentioned in the President’s Speech at the Conferment Ceremony, I outlined a number of key priorities for the College. Moving forward, we will focus on the faculty development initiatives aligned with the Academy’s vision, and on the implementation of the revised Regulations on Postgraduate Training and Examinations, which shall be led by Dr LEUNG Yuk Yan, Rock, one of our College Vice-Presidents, in the coming days. I am pleased that a successful forum was organized in late April, which was attended by trainers and trainees from various disciplines. The forum provided an invaluable opportunity for us to discuss the changes in the new Regulations and to address questions from the audience. I am grateful to all who contributed to the success of this event, and I believe it further strengthens our commitment to transparency and collaboration.

As we step into 2024, a year filled with both challenges and opportunities, we are confronted with a significant workforce challenge that has persisted over the past decade. This issue is not limited to Hong Kong or Asia but is a global phenomenon. I had the privilege of joining the International Liaison of Pathology Presidents (ILPP) 2023, where I learned about the strategies from around the world aimed at alleviating the manpower gap. Despite various efforts, significant improvements have been elusive. It is time for us to think outside the box and consider innovative approaches. I firmly believe that advocating for the adoption of digital pathology and artificial intelligence can be a potential solution, paving the way for enhanced efficiency and accuracy in patient care.

In addition to addressing the workforce challenge, our Council remains dedicated to enhancing the College’s reputation and image, while upholding the standard of practice and fostering collaboration with overseas and local organizations. We will continue our efforts to promote Pathology through International Pathology Day and our College’s International Pathology Day Workshop, which usually takes place in early December each year. The International Pathology Day Workshop has already become a flagship program for our younger generation to learn about and engage with Pathology. It is satisfying to witness the enthusiasm and eagerness of our Young Fellows in leading the workshop and promoting our specialty within the society. I am delighted to share that some participants of our previous workshops have chosen Pathology as their career path, a testament to the impact we are making.

Personally, I will continue to fulfil my responsibilities as President, which include working closely with our College Fellows, Members and trainees. I will align our efforts with the Academy’s direction, particularly in light of the Position Statement "Position Paper on Postgraduate Medical Education 2023" released earlier in 2023. I aim to foster synergy with the sister Colleges in Hong Kong and maintain strong connections with our overseas counterparts.

Dr MAK Siu Ming

President

May 2024

Screening of DPD Deficiency before Fluoropyrimidine Chemotherapy

Dr Felix Wong

Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Queen Mary Hospital

Volume 19, Issue 1, Jan 2024  (download full article in pdf)

Editorial note:

Screening of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency before systemic fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy can improve safety and prevent the occurrence of the associated toxicity. Both genotyping and phenotyping approaches have been advocated. In this review, Dr Felix Wong compares and contrasts both approaches and explains the upcoming situation in Hong Kong in the near future. We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please direct them to Dr Esther Hung of Education Committee, the Hong Kong College of Pathologists. Opinions expressed are those of the authors or named individuals, and are not necessarily those of the Hong Kong College of Pathologists.