CUHK & USYD
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and The University of Sydney (USYD) have been collaborating closely for many years, not only in the development of integrative medicine but also in cardiology, diabetes and other multi-faceted researches. Academic exchange and student mobility have also been going strong.
USYD-CUHK Partnership Collaboration Awards
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and The University of Sydney (USYD) have been collaborating closely for many years, not only in the development of integrative medicine but also in cardiology, diabetes and other multi-faceted researches. Academic exchange and student mobility have also been going strong.
INVITED LECTURE
Tuesday, 23 October 2018
Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke: Under-appreciated, Unrecognised and Under-treated
by Professor Ben Freedman
While most people know about heart attacks and strokes, mention of atrial fibrillation (AF) usually produces a blank look. Barely 10% of elderly Hong Kong people know what AF is, though it is the most common serious heart rhythm abnormality, and becomes much more common as you get older. If not treated, it can result in a stroke in the brain, causing loss of speech and the loss of use of an arm or a leg. Someone with AF has a five times greater chance of having a stroke, twice the chance of dying, and also a higher chance of their heart becoming weaker (heart failure) and of dementia. About every 17 minutes a Hong Kong citizen has a stroke; a third of these, usually the most severely incapacitating ones, affect people who have AF. Most are preventable. AF is common: one in three people over 55 are likely, during their lifetime, to develop AF. AF interferes with the normal pumping of the heart. Because not all the blood leaves the heart quickly, clots can form inside the heart. When clots break off, they are carried up the brain arteries, where they block the flow of blood to the brain; this causes a stroke. Strokes in people with AF can be prevented with anti-clotting medications (‘anticoagulants’). These reduce the number of strokes by 64%, and reduce deaths by 26%. Unfortunately a stroke is often the first sign that someone has AF, which is often silent, particularly in older people, who are more likely to have a stroke when AF starts. If we could diagnose silent AF, and treat AF early, many strokes could be prevented. Now, by combining new technology and medical research breakthroughs on anticoagulant drugs, we can. But we must first look for unknown AF, and then treat it with effective anticlotting therapy.
Analytic and Clinical Cooperative Laboratory
for Integrative Medicine (ACCLAIM)
The inaugural Symposium of Big Data in Integrative Medicine Research was held from 15-16 July 2016 to celebrate the establishment of the Analytic and Clinical Cooperative Laboratory for Integrative Medicine (ACCLAIM).
More than 100 worldwide leaders in the field of integrative medicine came together to share knowledge, experience and insights on the advancement of the field, using biomedical, clinical and big-data approaches. ACCLAIM will serve as a knowledge-discovery platform for scientists and clinicians to integrate the best of information technology, data analytic advancement, and clinical research for advancing evidence-based integrative medicine.
Co-Directors
CUHK: Alexander Lau [Details]
USYD: Josiah Poon [Details]
Global Elective for Medical Students
(GEMS)
As an initiative to provide excellent clinical elective attachment opportunities for senior medical students, CUHK and USyd started the Global Elective for Medical Students (GEMS) programme in summer 2019.
VISITING LIVER FELLOW
Clinical outcomes and management of patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver stiffness measurement in the grey zone
Liver Int. 2019 Mar;39(3):494-502. doi: 10.1111/liv.14001. Epub 2018 Dec 2.
Supervisor:
Prof Henry Chan [Details]
Fellow:
Dr Ken Liu
Laboratory:
Institute of Digestive Disease, CUHK
Period:
February 2016 – March 2017
“The IDD has lots of experts all in one place and everyone is very approachable, always finding time for you. The experience has exceeded my expectations.”
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
On 26 April 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Vice-Chancellors of the two universities, Prof. Joseph Sung of CUHK and Dr. Michael Spence of USyd, for the establishment of a joint big-data laboratory for integrative medicine ‘Analytic and Clinical Cooperative Laboratory for Integrative Medicine’ (ACCLAIM).
Activities such as collaborative research, joint symposia, academic exchanges and training programmes are planned to be carried out to develop and capitalize on each parties’ strengths and expertise.