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Circumstances change, good practice stays the same

From telehealth consultations to outdoor clinics , many of us are having to rapidly adapt the way we’ve been practising for years – and often decades – but while the settings and the tools may have changed, the basics of sound, holistic preventive healthcare have not...

Key messages from our Annual Report 2018/19

In the 2018/19 financial year, the Medical Council received 2,518 complaints about 2,051 doctors – just under 7% of registered medical practitioners in NSW. Complaints cover a variety of issues and can be made by not only the patient involved, but also by their family...

If the Medical Council calls, will I end up suspended?

A number of NCAT decisions have been featured in recent editions of our doctors' newsletter. However, most practitioners who come to the attention of the Medical Council do not end up at the Tribunal. We explore a more common practitioner interaction with the Council...

Are you guilty of making these errors when giving vaccines?

The Medical Council has received an increasing number of complaints from patients whose doctors’ have made preventable errors during vaccine administration. Although some of these errors are much more serious than others, good practice should ensure that no errors...

What are your colleagues doing to manage their health and well-being?

Need some self-care inspiration? Find out what some of your colleagues are doing to manage their health and well-being in 2020. Dr Sam Hay, GP “ Despite my best efforts, I'm not getting any younger! I'm determined for 2020 to do a bit more self-care that GPs (and...

President's message: December 2019

This time of year can bring health issues to the fore. It is important that fear about mandatory notification does not prevent you or a colleague you know from seeking treatment. Read more on changes ahead to mandatory notifications and how they affect you. As we start...

Iron infusions – 5 things you can do to avoid a complaint

An increasingly popular method of treating general practice patients with iron deficiency involves intravenous iron infusions with Ferinject ®. Many general practices now provide this treatment service, which is popular with patients because of its convenience,...

Is poor peer communication putting your patient at risk?

Good two-way communication is an essential element in successful doctor-patient relationships. But a communication breakdown between treating GPs can result in poor patient care and missed diagnosis. Patients often see a variety of general practitioners for their...

Why do I need a doctor when I am one?

Medical literature frequently highlights the proven benefits of having your own doctor. But do doctors heed this advice? We speak with Dr Liz Campbell about why having a GP is worthwhile and what makes doctors unique patients. A younger GP based near Royal North Shore...

Groundbreaking staff culture program supports patient outcomes

Respect promotes better outcomes Recent academic research demonstrates there is a correlation between disrespectful behaviour by practitioners within medical teams and poorer patient outcomes. We talk to Dr Sarah Michael, a psychiatrist at St Vincent’s Hospital in...

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