International Academy of Colleges of Anaesthesiologists

ANZCA is a founding member of the International Academy of Colleges of Anaesthesiologists (IACA); a collaboration of five specialist medical colleges with the aim of building a community of anaesthesia practice and creating a forum for the sharing of knowledge and common interests.

IACA logo

Background and formation

IACA was officially launched at the 2021 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne on 30 April 2021, with ANZCA President Dr Vanessa Beavis being appointed the honorary chair.



Aims and objectives

IACA brings together a network of clinicians, researchers and educators committed to promoting the understanding and role of anaesthesia and the work of its fellows, with a vision of learning from each other, sharing knowledge and experiences as well as creating a strong international college community of practice.

ANZCA President and IACA honorary Chair, Dr Vanessa Beavis believes that “the global pandemic has highlighted the pivotal role played by anaesthetists world-wide and that in unprecedented times, the speciality has risen to the occasion providing care, comfort and compassion to patients and drawing strength and support from their colleagues. The IACA will foster and carry this forward.” 

Medical colleges around the world are improving patient safety and quality of care through the delivery and provision of support for high standards in training, education, professional practice and research. While focussed on broad collaboration, the IACA looks to build on the synergies of collective activities already in place:

  • Promoting doctors’ health and wellbeing.
  • Increasing diversity and inclusion.
  • Leadership development.
  • International relations.
  • Environmental sustainability.
  • Global health programs.


Delivering training for the new generation of specialists and collaborating on advances in education is an agreed mutual responsibility along with professional standards and quality and safety.

Read the IACA terms of reference.

Read the IACA's 2022 annual report to learn more about their recent activities.

IACA webinars and resources

Find information and recordings of webinars hosted by the IACA partner colleges.

On Monday 18th September 2023 the IACA ran a webinar on the vital topic of patient safety. 

Professor Terry Tan (College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland) chaired a panel of distinguished safety and quality representatives of IACA partner colleges, including Jenny Westaway, Tibbs Pereira, Assoc. Prof. Jo Sutherland, Dr Tsun Woon Lee, Dr Brian McCloskey, and Ms Helen Maxwell-Wright.

The panel discussed the 2023 World Health Organisation Patient Safety Day theme: ‘Engaging patients for patient safety,’ with a focus on what we can learn from anaesthesiology and perioperative care around subjects including:

  • Patient voice
  • Leadership and culture
  • Clinical practice and quality
  • Regulations and mandates

The recording of the webinar is available here.

For further reading, we have prepared a webinar resource guide with useful info from our speakers and panelists.

CPD participants are eligible to claim 1 CPD point per hour under “lectures, presentations and online learning” for accessing the webinar and accompanying resources.

We owe a special thanks to our presenters who dedicated their time and expertise in making this event possible

On Wednesday 28 September, the IACA hosted its second webinar of the year on regulation of opioids.

In the webinar, pain medicine specialists of the IACA partner colleges shared their clinical expertise and insights on opioid regulation in their respective countries.

The speakers discussed intervention, prevention, and how cultural influences fit into the narrative to provide a panoramic view of the opioid crisis in 2022.

This 90-minute webinar was chaired by Dr Timmy Chan of the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists and feature keynote speakers Professor Chi-Wai Cheung and Dr Andrew Purcell.  The event concluded with a 30 minute expert panel discussion and Q&A session.
 

The recording of the webinar is available here. Please note that you will need to register to view the recording.

For further reading, we have prepared a webinar resource guide with useful info from our speakers and panelists.

CPD participants are eligible to claim 1 CPD point per hour under “lectures, presentations and online learning” for accessing the webinar and accompanying resources.

We owe a special thanks to our presenters who dedicated their time and expertise in making this event possible:

Chair: Dr Timmy Chan
Speakers and Panelists:

  • Professor Chi-wai Cheung, Hong Kong   
  • Dr Andrew Purcell, Ireland   
  • Dr Lorraine De Gray, UK   
  • Dr Therese O'Connor, Ireland   
  • Dr Donovan Wong, Hong Kong   
  • Associate Professor Jennifer Stevens, Australia

The International Academy of Colleges of Anaesthesiologists (IACA) hosted a webinar on Wednesday 8 June which focussed on the future of environmental sustainability in anaesthesia and pain medicine. The webinar featured international guest speakers and panel members from all five partner colleges, including local champions from TRA2SH. New fellows and trainees discussed the rigorous work they've done to create lasting changes within their workplaces and communities. They also shared plenty of useful information on how to get started in sustainability. The webinar featured a panel discussion and live Q&A. The College of Anaesthesiologists Ireland hosted the webinar and was chaired by Dr Dónall Ó’Cróinín.

The recording of the webinar is available here. Please note that you will need to register to view the recording.

For further reading, we have prepared a webinar resource guide with useful info from our speakers and panellists.

CPD participants are eligible to claim 1 CPD point per hour under “lectures, presentations and online learning” for accessing the webinar and accompanying resources.

We owe a special thanks to our presenters who dedicated their time and expertise in making this event possible:

Chair: Dónall O’Croínin
Speakers and Panellists:

  • Dr Tim Keady, Ireland
  • Dr Jess Davies, Australia   
  • Dr Noni Harold, Australia   
  • Dr Husein Moloo, Canada   
  • Dr Donovan Wong, Hong Kong   
  • Dr Cliff Shelton, UK   
  • Dr Li Fang, UK

On December 8, 2021 we were proud to take part in another great IACA event: “Putting Doctors’ Health and Wellbeing Into Practice.”  This webinar was a collaboration of the five colleges and included personal stories, reflection, practical advice and a lively panel discussion with Q&A.

The recording of the webinar is available here. Please note that you will need to register to view the recording.

We have prepared a resource guide also which includes recommended readings from our speakers and panellists, as well as webpages, apps and links to local support services.

CPD participants are eligible to claim 1 CPD point per hour under “lectures, presentations and online learning” for accessing the webinar and accompanying resources.

We owe a special thanks to our presenters who dedicated their time and expertise in making this event possible:

Chair: Dr Hing-Yu So, Hong Kong
Speakers and Panellists:

  • Prof John Gallagher, Ireland
  • Dr Joanna Sinclair, New Zealand
  • Dr Bruce Powell, Australia
  • Dr Emma Plunkett, United Kingdom
  • Dr Vivian Lau, Hong Kong