Medico-legal
Improving quality, safety and professionalism in practice. Everything you need to help you with clinical and legal challenges.
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Three things doctors do, but know they shouldn't
The behaviours I want to talk about are things we know many doctors do, despite being aware they probably shouldn’t. They rarely end badly, but when they do, the consequences are serious and entirely avoidable. As someone who sees the outcomes of these situations up close, I can tell you the stress and potential damage to your reputation from an official reprimand or legal repercussions is not worth it.
Coroner acknowledges complexity of fitness to drive assessments
A coroner’s investigation into a fatal car accident highlights the challenges for doctors concerned about a patient’s fitness to drive. This often involves balancing the need to preserve the therapeutic relationship against considerations of public safety. Unfortunately, sometimes only hindsight will confirm a driver’s fitness.
Messaging Apps: communicating safely in clinical practice
Use of messaging apps is becoming increasingly common in a clinical environment. They have many great advantages that improve communication and patient care. You also need to be aware of the privacy and employment requirements in your workplace before using messaging apps to communicate about clinical care.
What the budget means for doctors
Avant CMO and health economist, Prof Steve Robson, breaks down what the 2026 Federal Budget means for Australia's healthcare sector.
Clinical images – a snapshot of the issues
Clinical images used in clinical care form part of the patient’s medical record and must be handled in the same way as any other medical records. Images taken for non-clinical purposes need the patients consent for the specific intended use.
Leading the call for meaningful transparency
With the Federal Government reviewing the Medical Costs Finder, Avant is advocating for changes to deliver meaningful transparency and avoid unintended consequences for doctors and patients.
Patient follow-up and recalls
Doctors are often unsure how far they need to go in following up patients for return appointments, review of test results and specialist referrals.
Court finds hospital liable after patient pressured to consent to unwanted vaginal examination
A hospital was found liable in assault and negligence after a midwife repeatedly asked a patient to undergo a vaginal examination as a condition to admission, pain relief and access to continuity-of-care when she had clearly declined and where there was no urgent clinical indication.