Medico-legal Booklets for Early Career Doctors
Click the topic you would like to explore to download the medico-legal booklet.
Confidentiality and Consent
Confidentiality is an accepted and fundamental basis of the doctor-patient relationship as patients have a right to expect that their personal information will be held in confidence by their doctor. The importance of confidentiality in the doctor-patient relationship dates back to antiquity.
Download the medico-legal booklet here.
Coronial Reports and Death Certification
From time to time, JMOs will need to consider whether they are required to refer the death of a patient to the Coroner or whether a death certificate can be completed.
The aim of this booklet is:
- to outline the circumstances in which a patient’s death should be reported to the Coroner
- to provide guidance on the preparation of a report to the Coroner or a death certificate.
Download the medico-legal booklet here.
Dealing with Complaints
Patient complaints reflect a patient’s subjective impression of the care they have received. Complaints can occur in the absence of any error or adverse treatment outcome. They are often associated with poor communication between a doctor and a patient or the patient’s expectations not being met.
Writing Medico-legal Reports and Giving Evidence in Court
The focus of this booklet is on ‘treating doctor’ reports, not independent expert reports.The majority of the reports you will be asked to prepare are treating doctor reports; that is, factual reports outlining your involvement in the management of a patient. However, you may also be asked to provide your medical opinion e.g. the prognosis of a soft tissue injury. In writing a medico-legal report it is essential that you clearly differentiate between the facts and your opinions.
The aim of this booklet is to provide guidance on:
- writing a medico-legal report, and
- giving evidence in Court.
Download the medico-legal booklet here.
Doctors Let's Talk: Get Yourself A Fricking GP
Get yourself a fricking GP stat! is a conversation with Dr Lam, 2019 RACGP National General Practitioner of the Year, rural GP and GP Anesthetics trainee, that explores the importance of finding your own GP as a Junior Doctor.
25 Oct 2022
Systematic efforts to reduce harms due to prescribed opioids – webinar recording
Efforts are underway across the healthcare system to reduce harms caused by pharmaceutical opioids. This 43-min recording of a live webinar, delivered 11 March 2021, is an opportunity for prescribers to check, and potentially improve, their contribution to these endeavours. Hear from an expert panel about recent opioid reforms by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
14 May 2021
Diplomacy in a hierarchy: tips for approaching a difficult conversation
Have you found yourself wondering how to broach a tough topic of conversation? It can be challenging to effectively navigate a disagreement with a co-worker, especially if they're 'above' you; however, it's vital for positive team dynamics and safe patient care. In this recording of a live webinar you'll have the opportunity to learn from colleagues' experiences around difficult discussions and hear from a diverse panel moderated by Dr Kiely Kim (medico-legal adviser and general practitioner). Recorded live on 2 September 2020.
05 Oct 2020
