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Introduction and History

Special Article: The Development of the Hong Kong Thoracic Society
extracted from presentation by Dr Siu Lun CHAN at the Autumn Respiratory Seminar 2011


The idea of establishing the Hong Kong Thoracic Society dated back to the 1980s.

Since the early 1960s, there was only the Amercian College of Chest Physicians (Hong Kong and Macau Chapter) with only 25 members to start with, meeting the minimum requirement of the parent ACCP at that time. Following the Fox and Scadding and the working party’s report in 1975, the Hong Kong Government Chest Service expanded scope of work, covering not just tuberculosis but other chest diseases. Senior posts in the Chest Service should hold high qualifications and be respiratory physicians. Since then there was a growing number of respiratory physicians who were increasingly trained and qualified.

In early 1986, Dr. S.Y. So and Dr SL Chan convened a meeting with relevant chest physicians and surgeon (less than ten at that time) to discuss on the formation of the Hong Kong Thoracic Society. The memorandum of the Malaysian Thoracic Society was used as reference and Dr. S.Y. So helped in drafting the memorandum of the Hong Kong Thoracic Society.

Yet at that time there was no funding to start with, it was most fortunate and timely that a generous sum of donation of Ten Thousand Hong Kong Dollars from an anonymous patient of Dr. John Leung was received, so the necessary expense for the initial establishment of HKTS was met with.

On 21st October, 1986, the Hong Kong Thoracic Society Ltd. was inaugurated.
The Objectives of establishing the HKTS were:

1. To provide the advancement of Study of thoracic diseases.
2. To co-ordinate and correlate the efforts of organizations, companies, associations, societies, institutions, statutory bodies and other authorities and individuals, interested in causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thoracic diseases with a view to reducing morbidity and mortality in Hong Kong.
3. To promote, foster, develop and assist medical and allied profession in the study of and the acquisition, dissemination and application of knowledge and information concerning the causes, diagnosis prevention and treatment of thoracic diseases.
4. Encourage, stimulate, aid research and investigations into the causes and treatment of thoracic diseases.
5. To stimulate public interest and provide public education in prevention, treatment of thoracic disease and related problems and to assist in keeping the medical profession with up-to-date in latest development in the field of medical and scientific research.
6. To encourage, assist and arrange medical practitioners, scientists, students and other to travel abroad and engage in research, study and training in thoracic diseases.

For the first few years after establishement, the Hong Kong Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physician (ACCP) held Scientific meetings individually. For subsequent years, Scientific meetings were jointly held by the two Societies and the 13th Asian Pacific Conference jointly held in 1994 was a very successful example. From 1996 onwards, after the Hong Kong Lung Foundation was established, Annual Scientific meeting was held in March and Autumn respiratory meeting in November, and these were jointly held by the three organizations (HKTS, ACCP-HKM and HKLF). Up till now, the HKTS published Joint-Newsletter quarterly with ACCP-HKM and HKLF; and there are further development of the Hong Kong Respiratory Medicine Website (www.hkts.hk) in active function since 2009

End of Special Article


The Hong Kong Thoracic Society Limited was incorporated as a limited company under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance on 21st October 1986 and inaugurated on 13th August 1987. Before that, continued medical education programme on thoracic medicine was used to be organized by the Hong Kong and Macau Chapter of the American College of Chest Physicians formed in the early 60's. The Hong Kong Thoracic Society was founded by a group of physicians with special interest in thoracic medicine, they recognized the increasing number of physicians and surgeons who are having special interest in thoracic diseases and the need to form different subspecialty societies and associations locally. We received sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company and a donation of HK$10,000 from an unnamed patient who was cured after a thoracic operation. So no financial difficulty was faced towards the formation of the Society.

The Society works along with the following objects:-

1. To promote the advancement of study of thoracic diseases.

2. To coordinate and correlate the efforts of organizations, companies, associations, societies, institutions, statutory bodies and other authorities and individuals interested in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thoracic diseases with a view to reduce morbidity and mortality in Hong Kong.

3. To promote, foster, develop and assist medical and allied profession in the study of and the acquisition, dissemination and application of knowledge and information concerning the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thoracic disease.

a. To encourage, stimulate and aid research and investigations.

b. To stimulate public interest and provide public education.

c. To encourage, assist and arrange for medical practitioners, scientist, students and others to come to Hong Kong for the purposes of research and study and for the purposes of teaching and demonstrating theory and practice and to travel aboard and engage in research, study and training and to gain experiences, all in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thoracic diseases.

During the first year of establishment of the Society, there was only about eighty ordinary and associate members. The Society by used to hold scientific meetings or seminars once every six weeks. Overseas renown physicians and scientist were invited to deliver talks. The following year the society decided to organize and host joint meetings and symposia with the ACCP (HK & Macau Chapter). Most meetings were very educational and well attended, particularly the 13th Asian Pacific Congress on Diseases of the Chest in 1994 and the 1st Forum on Allergy in 1995. Currently the Society consists of a total of over 500 members. 50% are medical and 50% are paramedical, and membership continues to grow.
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About Hong Kong Respiratory Medicine: Profile of the Hong Kong Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians (Hong Kong and Macau Chapter) and Hong Kong Lung Foundation
Written by Dr David Hui, HKTS President, Dr KS Chan, ACCP (HKM) President and Dr HS Chan HKLF Chairman in 2004

The Hong Kong Thoracic Society (HKTS) was established in August 1987 with Dr SL Chan, Dr SY So and Dr WK Lam as the founding President, Vice-President and Hon Secretary respectively. As of February 5,2004, we have a total of 894 members. The Society works along with the following objectives:

1. To promote the advancement of study of thoracic diseases.
2. To coordinate and correlate the efforts of organizations, companies, associations, societies, institutions, statutory bodies and other authorities and individuals interested in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thoracic diseases with a view to reduce morbidity and mortality in Hong Kong.
3. To promote, foster, develop and assist medical and allied profession in the study of and the acquisition, dissemination and application of knowledge and information concerning the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thoracic disease.

There are 3 committees in the HKTS looking after different aspects related to the development of Respiratory Medicine in Hong Kong. The Scientific Committee is responsible for coordinating the territory-wide clinical and epidemiology studies, surveys, disease registries and practice guidelines. Studies performed include the adult lung function study, survey on home non-invasive ventilation, survey on mesothelioma, survey on practice of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, a project on community acquired pneumonia and a study on risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hong Kong. The Education Committee looks after the organisation of clinical and scientific meetings, workshops, and seminars. The Publicity and Membership Committee is responsible for the publication of the HKTS newsletter (published quarterly), maintenance of web-page and membership list.

The Hong Kong and Macau Chapter of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) was historically the earliest professional society of Respiratory Medicine in Hong Kong. It was established in the early 60s, probably 1962. The founding members and office bearers were Dr. Li Shu Fun, Dr. Morgan Lu KC, and Dr. Kenneth Hui KL. In subsequent formative years, it was under the leadership of Sister Gabriel and Sister Aquinas of Ruttonjee Sanatorium; and Dr PAL Horsfall of Grantham Hospital. The 7th Asia Pacific Congress on Diseases of the Chest (APCDC), the first ever international chest conference to be held in Hong Kong, was organised by the Chapter in 1981. The Organising Committee, Scientific Committee, and the Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the Congress included the following: Sister M Aquinas, Sister M Gabriel, Dr Morgan Lu, Dr Donald Yu, Prof CK Mok, Dr 3SL Chan, Dr PL Nandi, Dr David Lum, Dr S P Li, Dr SY So and Professor WK Lam, with Dr PAL Horsfall being the President of the Organising Committee.

Initially, there was no legal registration as a corporation and the local Chapter simply adopted the by-laws of the parent ACCP. Before the establishment of Hong Kong Thoracic Society in 1987, the Chapter was responsible for organising local educational activities once every 4-6 weeks. Every year the local Chapter was responsible for the collection of annual subscription, 10% of which was retained for operational utilization, and the scientific activities of the Chapter and financial status were reported to the parent College.

The Chapter was formally incorporated under limited company ordinance on 18th February 1986 with Dr SY So as the first President; Dr SY So and Professor WK Lam as subscribers. Thereafter, the Presidents of the Chapter in succession were: Professor WK Lam, Dr Joseph Pang, Dr William Chen, Dr CY Tse, Dr HS Chan, Dr Jane Chan, Dr Roland Leung, Dr CM Tam, and Dr Thomas Mok; with Dr KS Chan as the current President. The key objectives of the Chapter are:

1. To maintain an international society of highly qualified specialists in cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine and surgery and related disciplines.
2. To promote the highest possible standards in clinical practice, education and research in cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine and surgery and related disciplines.
3. To provide high quality education programs designed to maintain and advance the highest possible standards of medical practice as it pertains to cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine and surgery and related disciplines.
4. To co-operate with medical schools and other scientific organisations and societies in providing the best possible undergraduate instruction in cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine and surgery and related disciplines.
5. To promote co-operation with other organisations with the highest possible standards in allied health professions and service.

Since the establishment of Hong Kong Thoracic Society in 1987, the Chapter has been closely collaborating with HKTS in achieving its missions. The organization of scientific and academic meetings including regular and annual meetings and seminars, the 13thAPCDC in 1994,the 20thEastern Region Conference of IUATLD in 1999, the conduction of research studies and delivery of public education are shining examples of the Chapter's dedicated effort to fulfil its objectives. Currently the Chapter has 83 fellows, 16 members, 16 affiliated members, and 2 allied health members; with a total membership of 117. Throughout the years, the Chapter has been under the successive leadership of our Regent Dr Horsfall, Dr Nandi, Professor WK Lam, and currently Professor Mary Ip. The reminiscences of development of Respiratory Medicine in Hong Kong remind us of the pioneer work of our forefathers and foremothers, and the steering of many leaders throughout the years; and to all of them, we owe a debt of gratitude.

The Hong Kong Lung Foundation (HKLF) was established in March 1996 with Professor WK Lam, Professor Christopher Lai and Dr William Chen as the founding Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Hon Secretary respectively. The objective of the HKLF is to promote public education in respiratory health and disease (e.g. printing educational materials in asthma and COPD), support research activities in respiratory diseases and health (e.g. the HKLF Research Grant), and support professional education and training in respiratory medicine and related disciplines (e.g. HKLF Fellowships). The HKLF fellowships were awarded to members in supporting their research training in overseas countries like the U.S.A, the UK and Australia.

The 3 organisations, HKTS, ACCP and HKLF, are collaborating in a concerted efforts to contribute to the respiratory field in Hong Kong. Each year, the HKTS/ACCP and HKLF jointly hold two scientific meetings (Annual Scientific Meeting and Autumn Respiratory Seminar). These two meetings are important for disseminating the latest medical advances and practice guidelines to professionals in the respiratoryfield. In the comingDecember,2004, HKTS,ACCP and HKLFwill jointly work with the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR) in organising the 9thCongress of the APSR to be held in Hong Kong SAR from Dec 10-13.

HKTS/ACCP/HKLF have also been actively promoting the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in Hong Kong. In addition the 3 organizations worked together and drafted various guidelines for reference by our local respiratory community, an example of this is the infection control guideline for common respiratory procedures.

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