Beat Medical Blog

Electronic medical records - is it all going wrong?

Posted by Beat Medical

With electronic media so much part of our everyday life, isn't it logical that our medical records are kept electronically?

The benefits of electronic medical records (EMR) are huge - instant access to records, information sharing, standardisation, integration of systems, and so on. Some say that EMR will revolutionise healthcare.

So, why is it that as a medical recruitment and locum agency, we hear so many complaints about EMR? We hear that the systems are slow, and inaccessible. People tell us that they discourage patient and collegial interaction. Some say that the NSW government has not invested enough in the system, and has 'gone cheap'.

It is unlikely that the system with backpedal on EMR, so what can be done right now to change where things are heading?

Let us know your thoughts....  Click on 'comments' below to have your say

Jayant Patel found guilty, but who else is to blame?

Posted by Beat Medical

Yesterday, Jayant Patel, the Bundaberg surgeon accused of gross negligence was found guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm.

Appeals will most likely commence from here, but for the families of his victims, it will hopefully be some resolution.

Alongside the news on the case in the media, this article in The Australian was published today. Tony Morris highlights that there are two issues at play in the case - that of Patel's incompetence and the subsequent deaths, and that of the process that enabled him to work unsupervised as the Director of Surgery in a regional QLD hospital.

It was a complex case, with a number of contributing factors. There were so many preventable events that took place before his employment that it is almost impossible to imagine how Patel was granted registration in the first place:

-the recruitment agency did not adequately check the documentaiton
-the medical board did not complete the requisite checks, and granted registration
-the hospital appointed Patel to a position outside of the scope of his medical registration
-there was internal pressure against the 'whistleblower', who brought matters to the attention of the health service


It is absolutely the responsibility of each person in the medical recruitment process to ensure that they scrutinise, and question the veracity of CV's, references, professional documents. If something feels out of place, dig. If it still feels out of place, keep digging.

It is human to be blinded by pressure to find a doctor for shift, position, or job - and create a false gap between what you actually see, and what you want to see. It is the individual responsibility of us all in this industry to speak up if something is not right, and unless you are completely satisfied of a medical professional's competence and background - do not give them the job.

Consider the deaths of Patel's patients, and their families - who have felt the deepest cut of his behaviour and the omissions of his employers. It is up to administrators and recruiters to work towards preventing this from happening ever again.

The medical recruitment company involved dismissed a staff member, and most likely felt a level of corporate shock they never will again. The health service and the medical board were held to account, and a whistleblower's life and career still stands deeply affected by the events.

We ask the same question Tony Morris asks: should there have been other people in the dock?

Click on 'comments' below to have your say

Medical indemnity insurance - why it is a must for working as a doctor in Australia

Posted by Beat Medical

A phrase we hear every day from locum doctors and doctors looking for jobs is: why do I need medical indemnity insurance? I thought the hospital provides cover...it's in my contract...

It may well be the case, but there are a number of good reasons why you need to have your own medical indemnity insurance cover. This is best illustrated with a scenario:

Dr X is working as a locum in Bigtown Hospital Emergency department, and sees a patient for a simple, minor presentation. Dr X treats the patient according to protocols, and common sense - but the patient returns to the ED the next day with serious complications, which appear to be as a result of the treatment provided by Dr X. The patient says they are going to sue the hospital, make a complaint to the HCCC, and go to the media about the shoddy treatment they received.

The hospital conducts its own investigation and finds that Dr X did not follow the latest protocol, and that Dr X is at fault. They suspend Dr X pending the HCCC investigation, and write a letter to the Medical Board, informing them of the situation.


Dr X is obviously going to be in a difficult situation here - his reputation is already damaged, the hospital is distancing themselves from him, and he may have to face the legal costs of fronting the HCCC, the Medical Board, and of course - the court case. Although the hospital may indeed be found negligent - Dr X may be stung with contributory negligence if it is found that he did not follow the protocols and policies of the hospital.

Medical indemnity insurance can provide a serious safety net in terms of:

-legal advice and representation
-underwriting in cases of negligence
-expert advocacy

When choosing a policy, it is important to speak with the insurer to understand what the right cover for you is. If you are working as an independent contractor on an ABN, it is very important to let the insurer know so that you can be covered appropriately. Also let them know about any significant changes in your scope of practice, employer, locum work, or anything else that you think might effect your insurance.

If you doubt the value of medical indemnity insurance, the key question you need to ask yourself is "Can I count on my hospital/employer to be my advocate when the worst happens?". The answer is "probably not" in most cases.

This article is intended as broad discussion only, and not as advice on any legal matters, particular product, or service. For advice on medical indemnity matters, speak with your insurer or legal adviser.


Have you ever had an experience which demonstrated the value of medical indemnity insurance? Tell us about it!