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  • Connect

    Issue 17

  • Our latest edition of Connect magazine magazine takes a closer look at effective relationships, using cases to demonstrate the importance of communicating with patients, staff and colleagues.

    We also look at digital communication and the effect social media has on our professional lives, addressing the benefits of using social media professionally and how to deal with online reviews.

    Read the articles below or download the PDF with best practice insights to help you in your professional and personal lives.


    Welcome

    Maintaining effective relationships
    Dr Beverley Rowbotham - Chair, Avant

     
    Dr Beverley Rowbotham  

    Avant’s Chair, Dr Beverley Rowbotham introduces Connect while highlighting a range of topics on maintaining communication with patients and colleagues, plus the benefits and drawbacks of using social media in a professional context.

     

    More than words
    Prof Ajay Rane - Director of Urogynaecology at Townsville University Hospital, Director of Mater Pelvic Health and Research and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at James Cook University

     
    Professor Ajay Rane  

    Communication in a multicultural setting is often vulnerable to misinterpretation, which is why verbal and non-verbal cues are both equally important. Avant member Prof Ajay Rane shares his insights on communicating with patients amid language and cultural barriers.

     

    Communication consequences
    Dr Peter Henderson - Deputy Chief Medical Officer and General Manager, Medical Advisory Services Avant

     
    Communication consequences  

    Workplace relationships are necessary in order to communicate and collaborate, but misjudgement in communication can cause a great deal of grief.

    Effective relationships

    Surgeon’s stressful procedure no excuse
    Sandii Hargrave – LLB, Practice Manager Claims, Professional Conduct, Avant

     
    Stressful procedure  

    Doctors often face stressful situations and sometimes these can get the best of the most dedicated doctor, with colleagues often in the firing line. But knowing how to handle stress and manage these situations can avoid the problem growing.

     

    Consent the key concern
    Helen Turnbull – BA, LLB, Special Counsel – Professional Conduct, Avant Law

     
    Consent the key concern  

    Doing what you think is best for the patient isn’t always enough. An oncologist was guilty of professional misconduct when he failed to inform patients of the treatment path he was taking them down, highlighting the need for proper and consent and processes.

     

    Effective informed financial consent
    Kenny Ho – BbusCom, Head of Claims, Doctors’ Health Fund

     
    Effective informed financial consent  

    Fee transparency allows patients to make informed choices, but our complex health system can mean a breakdown in communication and misunderstanding for patients and providers.

     

    Responding positively to negative comments
    Dr Benjamin Vialle - BA(Hons), GradDipEd, BTh, MBBS, GradCertClinEd, Avant Doctor in Training Medical Adviser and psychiatry registrar

     
    Responding positively to negative comments  

    When patients or colleagues express satisfaction or dissatisfaction about the healthcare you provide through online platforms, here’s what you can do to help rectify the situation.

     

    Defamation win after online abuse
    Naomi Lewis – BA, Grad Dip HL, Senior Claims Manager, Civil Claims, Avant

     
    Defamation  

    A respected plastic and reconstructive surgeon member was awarded $450,000 after a patient’s social media tirade brought him “hatred, ridicule and contempt” in malicious online posts.

     

    Social media: the world is your tearoom
    Ruanne Brell – BA, LLB(Hons), Senior Legal Adviser, Advocacy, Education and Research, Avant

     
    Social media  

    Social media isn’t for everyone, but long-time Twitter user Dr Rebecca Szabo is an advocate of how it can be done safely and with huge reward for the medical profession.

     

    Errors ahead: handle with care
    Kate Gillman – BA, LLB, Head of Medico-legal Advisory Service, Avant

     
    Errors ahead  

    Mistakes are going to be made by even the most diligent of doctors, but how they are handled can make a big difference to the outcome.

    In the workplace

    Technologies enhancing communication
    Georgie Haysom – BSc, LLB(Hons), LLM (Bioethics), GAICD, Head of Advocacy, Education and Research, Avant

     
    Dr Vikram Balakrishnan  

    Online communication and messaging platforms are used increasingly in clinical practice, with some messaging apps being developed specifically for healthcare settings.

     

    COVID-19: workplace issues
    Sonya Black - LLB(Hons), BCom, Practice Manager, Legal – Workplace Law Team, Avant Law

     
    Covid19 workplace issues  

    Practices and public hospitals are still managing mandatory vaccination rollouts, and doctors dealing with exemption requests from reluctant patients. Here are some tips for addressing common issues members may still be facing.

     

    Practice negates Fair Work dispute
    Martin Edwards - BSc, FIAA, GAICD, CEO, Technology in Practice, Avant

     
    Practice negates Fair Work dispute  

    Not only does PracticeHub make managing your practice simpler, safer and more efficient, but it can help you respond should you ever find yourself in an employment dispute.

    A doctor's life

    Borrowing to invest
    Steve Thomson - General Manager, Doctors Wealth Management, Avant

     
    Borrowing to invest  

    A diverse portfolio is a great way of ensuring your financial security. Avant’s Doctors Wealth Management team looks at the benefits of borrowing to invest and how this can support your long-term goals.

     

    Furthering research on COVID-19 vaccines
    Adam Golabek - MBA, MScTech (Risk Mgmt), BPhysio(Hons), Head of Avant Foundation, Avant

     
    Furthering research on Covid-19 vaccines  

    Dr Victoria Hall, an Avant Foundation New Fellow scholarship recipient, shares how her research will help inform how effective and safe the COVID-19 vaccines are in adult organ transplant recipients.

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IMPORTANT: Professional indemnity insurance and the Practice Medical Indemnity Policy available from Avant Mutual Group Limited ABN 58 123 154 898 (Avant Mutual) are issued by Avant Insurance Limited, ABN 82 003 707 471, AFSL 238 765 (Avant). Avant Cyber Insurance cover is available to eligible Avant Practice Medical Indemnity Policy holders up to the cessation of their policy and is provided under a Group Policy between Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ABN 61 086 083 605 (Liberty) and Avant. Private health insurance products are issued by The Doctors’ Health Fund Pty Limited, ABN 68 001 417 527, a member of the Avant Mutual Group. Avant arranges Avant Business Insurance as agent of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850, AFSL 234 708 (Allianz) and may receive a commission on each policy arranged. Avant Travel Cover is available under a Group Policy between QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited, ABN 78 003 191 035, AFSL 239 545 (QBE) and Avant Mutual. Avant Travel Cover is underwritten by QBE and Avant may receive a benefit for arranging cover.

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