Education at your convenience

What are the laws and guidelines that impact social media for practitioners?

In this recorded webinar, MDA National’s Gae Nuttall (Risk Advisor) and Divya Pahwa (Case Manager) host a webinar that discusses the application of social media legislation and guidelines. Using case studies, they present a range of scenarios to assist you in making decisions about how to manage social media from a user and responder perspective, with key take aways on social media usage provided.

The 117 minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 15 February 2024.

The webinar was designed for all doctors using or considering using social media and is only available to MDA National Members. It is accredited for 1.5 hours of CPD (1.0 Educational Activities, 0.5 hrs Reviewing Performance).

 

 

Do you understand the Medicare system and are you confident that your billing processes comply with requirements?

In this recorded webinar, MDA National’s Medicare Committee members discuss common billing questions on the following topics: chronic disease management, rules around bulk billing, co-claiming of MBS items, telehealth, what can’t be billed to Medicare, monitoring what is billed to your provider number and the audit process.

The 50 minute on-demand webinar was delivered on the 5 September 2023.

The webinar was designed for a doctors at all career stages and is only available to MDA National Members.

 

 

What are the changes to the Fair Work Act and what is my role?

In this recorded webinar, MDA National’s Medico-Legal adviser, Kym Gardner hosts a webinar discussing the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs Better Pay) Act 2022 and the potential impact for employers and employees, and what can be done to support these changes.

Panelists include: Dr Mellissa Naidoo (FRACMA, FCHSM, MHM, BMBS, BSc (Hons 1)), Dr Fiona Raciti (FRACGP, MBBS, BSc (Biomed), Dip Child Health), Dr Anita Sharma (MBBS FRACGP), Dr Bavahuna Manoharan (MBBS, MPH, BSc, CHIA, GAICD), and Mr Nick Dugal (LLB) from Moray and Agnew Lawyers.

The webinar was designed for specialist doctors and is only available to MDA National Members. It is accredited for 1.5 hours of CPD (1.0 Educational Activities, 0.5 hrs Reviewing Performance) for ACRRM, RCGP, RACS and RANZCO. Please check with your CPD provider if it is not listed here.

Recorded live on 17 October 2023.

 

 

What are the laws and processes in place for VAD and what is my role?

In this recorded webinar, MDA National’s Medico-Legal case managers, Nicole Golding and Sam Lowther^ host a webinar with Dr Scott Blackwell (MBBS), Dr Chloe Furst (MBBS FRACP FAChPM), Dr Sally Cockburn (MBBS, MHlth & MedLaw) and Dr Bavahuna Manoharan (MBBS, MPH, BSc, CHIA, GAICD) discussing the topic Understanding Voluntary Assisted Dying laws.

The 110 minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 27 April 2023.

The webinar was designed for specialist doctors and is only available to MDA National Members. It is accredited for 2 hours of CPD (1.5 Educational Activities, 0.5 hrs Reviewing Performance).

^ no longer at MDA national

 

 

Are you confident you and your practice comply with AHPRA’s advertising guidelines?

In this recording of a live webinar, MDA National’s risk adviser, Gae Nuttall and medico-legal adviser, Nerissa Ferrie discuss your responsibilities and requirements when promoting your health services.

This 38-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 27 March 2019.

The webinar was designed for a practice-based audience.

 

Do we really support patient autonomy in the decision-making process?

In this recorded webinar, MDA National’s Medico-Legal adviser, Kym Gardner hosts a debate with Associate Professor Anna Holdgate MBBS FACEM MHL, Dr Genevieve Yates MBBS (Hons) FRACGP MBA (Leadership), Dr Chloe Furst MBBS FRACP FAChPM and Dr Hussam Tayeb BSc MBBS FRACP on the topic Patient Autonomy in Australian medical care: Do we deliver for individuals or delude ourselves?

The 64 minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 22 September 2022.

The webinar was designed for a doctors at all career stages and is only available to MDA National Members.

 

Have you ever found yourself wondering how to broach a tough topic of conversation but felt daunted and unsure where to begin?

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.

If you want to upskill in having delicate discussions to resolve conflict with more confidence, the Diplomacy in a hierarchy resource series is for you.

 

This on-demand webinar was recorded on 2 September 2020.

The information in this webinar recording and related resources is provided as a guide only and MDA National accepts no responsibility for how it may apply to your personal situation.

General enquiries or comments relating to this webinar should be emailed to education@mdanational.com.au.

If you have a specific medico-legal query freecall 1800 011 255 or complete our Contact us form. This is a service for MDA National Members.

The use of online DNA tests is likely to increase. Are you ready to help people who are curious about or have already done one?

In this recording of a live webinar, Edwina Middleton (Program Leader & Senior Genetic Counsellor, The Centre for Genetics Education, NSW Health) and Julie Brooke-Cowden (Manager, Professional Services, MDA National) explore practical advice to help people make informed decisions about personal genomic tests.

This 38-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 10 September 2019.

The webinar was designed for a practice-based audience.

 

 

How do you optimally manage consultations to reduce confusion about physical examinations and sensitive questions?

In this recording of a live webinar Dr Frances Poliniak (GP and medical educator) and Dr Jane Deacon (Manager, Medico-legal advisory services and GP) examine how to reduce the risk of adverse patient experiences while strengthening the therapeutic relationship. 

This 40-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 8 May 2019.

 

 

Did the case against Dr Bawa-Garba make you question supervision, collaboration or handover in your hospital?

Dr Jane Deacon and Janet Harry from our medico-legal advisory team explore how hospital-based doctors can contribute to enhancing teamwork in three key areas related to the case in this recording of a live webinar.

This webinar was created for early career hospital-based Members; however, it is relevant to doctors at all stages of their career. If you’re not familiar with Jack and Dr Bawa-Garba’s case, click here for relevant background information. 

This 45-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 13 November 2019.

 

 

What are your obligations to patients or when managing staff during a pandemic? Would you like help understanding COVID-19 telehealth MBS items?

MDA National staff share the knowledge gained from the record-breaking number of queries Members asked in March 2020 and answer doctors’ live questions in this 47-minute webinar recorded on 8 April 2020.

Topics

Introduction  0.00

Obligations to patients 6.00

Obligations to staff/practice 14.30

Telehealth 25.30

Patient discloses they’re not self-isolating as required 43.05

Wrap up 43.45

Related resources

You'll find written answers to questions that we didn’t have time to cover during the live session here.
Visit MDA National’s COVID-19 information hub for up-to-date advice and resources, including FAQs on your medico-legal responsibilities during a pandemic. For additional resources, explore the links below.

Obligations to patients

• AMA ‘COVID-19 transmission and Personal Protective Equipment’  
• University of Sydney – ethics of resource allocating in response to COVID-19
• Rogers & Carter, Macquarie University & University of Wollongong – ethics of allocating ventilators and beds during the pandemic
• AHPRA code of conduct
• MDA National sickness certificate info & resources
• MDA National ‘Coronavirus medical clearance certificates’
• MDA National ‘Ending the doctor–patient relationship' 

 

Obligations to staff

• The Treasury ‘JobKeeper payment’
• FairWork Ombudsman – stand down and workplace laws
• Department of Health AHPCC advice to National Cabinet
• news.com.au – managing staff/sick leave

 

Telehealth

• MDA National ‘Telehealth toolkit’ 
• Department of Health – ‘Advice for people at risk of coronavirus’  
• ACRRM – risk management – video conferencing software for consultation
• RACGP – video consultations guide
• Department of Health fact sheets – new temporary MBS telehealth services  
• The University of Queensland, Centre for Online Health telehealth resources
• MDA National – recording consultations 'Hey doc, I'm recording this consultation' and 'Recording consultations: Is this the future?'

 

The information in this recording is provided as a guide only and MDA National accepts no responsibility for it being up-to-date or how it may apply to your personal situation.

General enquiries or comments relating to this webinar should be emailed to education@mdanational.com.au.

MDA National Members who have a specific medico-legal query can freecall 1800 011 255 or complete our Contact us form.

Do you confidently and properly protect the privacy of your patients’ health data?

In this recording of a live webinar, MDA National’s risk adviser, Gae Nuttall and medico-legal adviser, Dr Jane Deacon discuss your responsibilities and the ‘fine print’ for protecting your patient’s health data.

This 45-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 12 September 2018. The webinar was designed for a practice-based audience.

 

 

What forms of electronic communication are appropriate for patients? How do the Australian Privacy Principles apply to me? What are the criteria for reporting a notifiable data breach?

Medico-legal experts Gae Nuttall and Dr Jane Deacon answer medical professionals’ frequently asked, overlooked, and on-the-spot patient privacy-related questions.

This 38-minute on-demand webinar is particularly for doctors working in private practice, including GPs and many other practice-based specialists.

This on-demand webinar was recorded live on 25 March 2020. 

 

 

Medical practices are a particular target for cyber crime. Are you sufficiently protected and prepared for such an attack?

In this recording of a live webinar, leading digital health systems expert, Prof Trish Williams and MDA National medico-legal adviser, Dr Jane Deacon explore key cyber-attack defence and mitigation measures. 

This 45-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 21 June 2018. 

 

 

How would you respond to an audit of your Medicare billing? Do you know when to contact us?

Nerissa Ferrie, medico-legal adviser, and Gae Nuttall, risk adviser, share key information Members regularly need to appropriately work with Medicare in this recording of a live webinar.

This 51-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 21 November 2019.

 

 

Do you know the most common cause of claims for surgeons, anaesthetists, radiologists, obstetricians & gynaecologists, and psychiatrists?

After this webinar you’ll be more alert to 'risk hotspots' across various hospital-based specialities and how best to respond to patients and their families when an adverse event happens.

Join Dr Sara Bird (Executive Manager) and Julie Brooke-Cowden (Manager) from MDA National’s Professional Services team who help our Members with claims, complaints and investigations.

This 47-minute on-demand webinar was recorded live on 26 February 2020. The webinar was designed for a diverse hospital-based audience.

 

 

Do you understand and know how to apply recent changes to opioid indications and PBS listings?

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. 

 

Important background information can be found on the pre-reading page for this webinar.

Webinar topics

• Introduction  0.00
• Key tips for establishing & maintaining patients’ expectations  9.12
• Opioid regulatory changes – TGA  12.54
• Amendments to the opioid PBS listings  29.30
• Conclusion   42.11

Resources mentioned during the TGA webinar section

• Faculty of Pain Medicine ANZCA, Better Pain Prescribing. Clarity and confidence in opioid management
• NPS MedicineWise, Opioids: redefining ‘doing well’ on opioids clinical e-audit
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Reducing opioid harm
• Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Reducing opioid harm
• Australian Government resources: 
• Clinician information sheet on opioid analgesic tapering
• Opioid resources
• More detail on prescription opioid regulatory changes overseen by TGA

Resources related to the PBS

• Opioid PBS authority application forms
  (Some authority applications can be submitted online in real time)
• Public summary document – TGA Prescription Opioid Regulatory Reforms
• Request an authority using Online PBS Authorities in HPOS 
• National Pain Services Directory
• Detailed information about each PBAC recommendation

 

Pain management links you may find useful 

• ACI pain management network
• painHEALTH
• 'The pain management guidebook', Guardian exercise rehabilitation 
• Oregon pain guidance, assessment tools 

 

The information and resources on this page are generic information, provided as a guide only, and do not consider the requirements of any particular individual. MDA National accepts no responsibility for the content being up-to-date.

We recommend you always contact your indemnity provider when you need specific advice relating to your insurance policy or medico-legal matters. MDA National Members can contact us on freecall 1800 011 255 or use the Contact us form.

General enquiries or comments relating to this webinar should be emailed to education@mdanational.com.au.