February 2012 Canberra Doctor is proudly brought to you by the AMA (ACT) Limited Circulation: 1,900 in ACT & region AMA ACT welcomes the ANU Medical School students The annual AMA ACT welcoming reception for new medical students at the ANU Medical School was held at “Barocca” on Thursday 9 February. AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, with AMSA President, Mr James Churchill and Mr Mark Russell ANU Medical School representative to the AMA ACT Advisory Council Host AMA ACT President, Dr Iain Dunlop and Chair of the Advisory Council, Dr Andrew Miller with new students. The event was generously sponsored by Investec. Dr Iain Stewart | Dr Malcolm Thomson | Dr Nicholas Kenning | Dr Damien Hoon | Dr Karen Falk | Dr Mike McKewen Dr Robert Greenough | Dr Fred Lomas | Dr Paul Sullivan National Capital 24-hour guarantee on Ultrasound Diagnostic Imaging and CT appointments* Just another way we can provide a better service *Provided doctor not required. Excludes interventional procedures, MSK Ultrasound & cardiac CT A member of the I-Med Network Woden 6214 2222 Deakin 6124 1900 Tuggeranong 6293 2922 Geils Court 6122 7878 February 2012 Volume 24, No. 1 The State of the Territory Beginnings only 20 hours of CPD annually, and attended negotiations. You In the same vein, consultation Last week 91 new medical stu- ‘qualification’ in Chinese Medicine should note that the AMA ACT is has commenced on the ACT dents began training at ANU as merely evidence of 5 years of the truly independent party at the Palliative Care Strategy and Services Medical School. I met many of practice since 2002 and no require- table. Like most projects, the final Plan and details are available from them at our AMA Medical Student ment to speak English to a stand- 10% takes a disproportionately [email protected] Welcome Reception on Thursday 9 ard expected of other health pro- long time to complete. John Buckingham AM February. It is always a good event, fessionals, or to have an interpreter VMO contracts for present at consultations. The AMA It was wonderful to see that an evening that re-invigorates us, negotiation this year Dr John Buckingham AM was the established clinicians, who may submits that all health profession- als should have a minimum stand- And just as these negotiations posthumously recognised in the lose sight of the wonder and privi- are closing, the next round of the 2012 Australia Day Honours List. lege of our profession in the face ard of English and formal curricu- lum, training and CPD require- VMO contract negotiations is set Our congratulations go to his fam- of the workload and administrative to begin. Once again, the AMA ily and our thoughts to him. A pro- challenges. Here were many who ments. It is extraordinary that more will be there. posal for an Australian Honour actively chose ANU as a first choice cannot be lodged posthumously, for studying medicine and Canberra than half of AHPRA’s income Health planning comes from medical practitioners although it may be so granted. The as a place to live and work for the The Health Directorate is AM recognises John’s living contri- Dr Iain Dunlop next five or more years. The reputa- yet the standards accepted for planning a new ‘ACT Chronic other health professionals are so butions to the profession and the tion of the ANU Medical School is Disease Strategy’ based on the community. first class. Many were attracted by lenient by comparison. 2008-2011 strategy of the same A medical life the research reputation of the ANU National efficient price of name. There is an opportunity for Sad note I began this discussion with in general. All felt that the teaching services in public hospitals community and stakeholder input On another note, it was sad to our newest medical students. I hope ratios and clinical exposure were at an individual level and at a hear of the passing of Dr Bill that all have the opportunity to Another current AMA con- complete as rich and full and excellent. There was a palpable cern is the development of the forum planned for early March. A Coupland, one of the great con- excitement, mixed with some trepi- draft strategy will be available for tributers to our AMA ACT and to rewarding a medical life as did Bill Independent Hospital Pricing Coupland. That means commit- dation, to be beginning studies. Authority (IHPA) which is charged public consultation in April-May the Canberra community. Amongst These students had achieved a goal 2012. A policy consultant has be his unsung achievements was per- ment to one’s patients, one’s col- with setting the ‘national efficient leagues and one’s profession. That with hard work and application. price’ of services delivered in pub- appointed, Cathie O’Neill. (cathie. forming one of the first Australian Barring exceptional circumstances, [email protected]). The web- bone-marrow transplants at the is the ‘space’ that the AMA occu- lic hospitals. It is the flow-on pies. they will all become doctors, and effects of underfunded hospitals site to register your interest is at then Royal Canberra Hospital in our colleagues. and stifled introduction of new quorus.com.au/projects/act- 1968. Our thoughts are with his Iain Dunlop CPD concessions granted by technologies that should concern chronic-disease-strategy family and friends at this time. President ACT AMA AHPRA to new health you as clinicians. How a ‘national professions efficient price’ will be set and adjusted is unknown as yet. The I was reflecting on these stu- Commonwealth will pay 40% of dents, and the path they have this price and the States and ahead, during an AMA meeting Territories will make up the rest, discussing National Registration which may well be more than the matters. You may know that apparent 60% remaining. Activity Chinese Medicine has been added based funding is complex and is to the list of health professions frequently a distraction to service covered by the National delivery. The AMA will argue for Registration scheme. Each health weightings of the ‘national effi- profession has an autonomous cient price’ based on local factors. Board which must act within the The only current recognised overarching supervision of weighting is ‘Aboriginality’. AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Agency). Given Salaried doctors workplace AHPRA’s strict training and CPD agreement being finalised requirements for continuing regis- Negotiations for the new tration as a medical practitioner, Salaried Doctors award are draw- the AMA is objecting to the pro- ing to a close. The AMA ACT is a posals for just what is required for full party to these negotiations. We registration as a Chinese Medicine thank those junior doctors who practitioner. 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These benefits are available for 2012, as at – Exceptional design for all occasions, including event hire (best rate of day and food and beverage services) 10 November 2011, and may be subject to change. 2 February 2012 Perceived practice change in Australian doctors as a result of medico-legal concerns – By Shrikar Tummala and Yusuf Sediqi Arguably one of the and 11% stating that they prescribed with each particular patient will the guidelines for administering guidance and support for junior medications more than usual. save time with subsequent visits each of the medications thus doctors, who may then be prone most trustworthy Respondents also reported improved and also improve the patient’s increasing the risk of missing a to malpractice. A lack of positions in any given communication of risk (66%), care by reducing mistakes and dose or over dosage. experienced and specialist increased disclosure of uncertainty having a holistic picture with Additionally, excessive doctors may also mean that the society, a healer of men, (44%), developed better systems for every encounter. prescription of medications doctor shortage in rural areas women and children, and tracking results (48%) and better However, there are also many poses significant costs for the will be exacerbated and more a wealth of knowledge methods for auditing clinical practice disadvantages regarding the impact health care system. generally, the quality of (35%). Concerns about medico-legal of medico-legal concerns on how nThe fear of litigation causes the healthcare will fall and there will about what we are. issues led to 40% considering retir- Australian doctors practise medicine. doctor’s practice to shift from be added pressure on existing ing early, 33% considering giving up being patient-centered to This is the predetermined image Disadvantages: doctors. medicine and 32% considering doctor-centered. Doctors aim to nThe fear of litigation is an we have when we see a name with reducing their working hours.