As a longstanding part of the profession, we remain true to our 'doctors for doctors' ethos – owned and governed by doctors, caring for the wellbeing and interests of doctors.
For over 95 years, psychiatrists have trusted MDA National to support them through issues they face in their career. We remain committed to providing the expert advice and personalised service you need, when you need it, so you can keep on practising with confidence and providing outstanding patient care.
Individualised advice and personalised support
- Medico-legal helpline, 24 hours in emergencies – speak to a person not a machine
- In-house medico-legal experts who handle every concern
- One case manager until your matter is resolved
- Expert medico-legal claims and advisory team
- Matching you with the best legal team suited to your specific case
- Support in practice and tailored risk management services
Comprehensive cover and protection
Your extensive MDA National Professional Indemnity covers you for civil claims, employment disputes, representation at a coronial inquiry and a wide range of medico-legal matters.
The following table is a brief summary of covers and limits. The summary wording should not be relied on as a full description of cover. Please refer to the Policy Wording† for full details of terms and conditions:
| Aggregate Limit of Cover for all Claims* | |
|
$20 million |
| We will... | Aggregate Sub-limits* |
|
$2 million |
|
$100,000 but for claims by you for unpaid remuneration we will not pay more than the amount reasonably sought by you |
|
$100,000 (with Excess of $20,000) |
|
$100,000 |
|
$250,000 |
|
$100,000 for Medical Practitioner |
|
$20,000 (with a maximum of $2,000 per day for up to 10 days) |
|
$100,000 |
*Provided that the Maximum Limit of Indemnity is not exceeded.
†A copy of the Policy Wording is available at mdanational.com.au/Downloads.
For more information please read our Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy Combined Financial Services Guide (FSG), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Policy Wording and Supplementary FSG and PDS including Amendments to the Policy Wording from our Download Center.
Unparalleled Member care
- Doctors for Doctors program - talk freely with a peer who understands your situation and the impact of a medico-legal matter, to independent psychiatrist referrals in exceptional circumstances.
- Doctor-led and doctor-informed service delivery
- Focused on the best professional and personal outcome for the doctor
- Local presence, national support - Benefit from having the strength, backing and resources of a national brand behind you, as well as the local knowledge and presence of state offices.
By doctors for doctors
- Supporting 54,000+ Members and insureds – we’re invested in you, not shareholders
- Owned and governed by doctors, caring for the wellbeing and interests of doctors
- A longstanding part of the profession, supporting doctors for more than 95 years
- Nine out of our 10 Mutual Board directors are doctors
- Specialists in health care, law and medical indemnity, backed by a dedicated team of risk advisers and external lawyers
By your side when you need us most
We recognise that medico-legal matters can be demanding and stressful, both personally and professionally. That's why our highly qualified and experienced in-house legal team works in close partnership with you to resolve your particular matter as expediently as possible.
Where appropriate, our claims team will partner with external senior lawyers or engage directly with senior counsel, so you will have the most appropriate expertise matched to you specific needs, to ensure the best possible outcome.
Read a case study on how we helped a Member with an unusual request from the police to breach patient confidentiality and privacy.
To read more medico-legal articles and case studies, download MDA National’s Member publication, Defence Update, here.
Reasons why Members called us for advice
|
34%Advice/Ethical Dilemma |
10%Medical Records |
08%Ending Doctor-Patient Relationship |
|
07%Practice Management |
07%Medico-legal Report |
06%Employment Issues |
Watch our latest webinar on medico-legal insights for Psychiatrists
Keep on practising with confidence
Throughout COVID-19, MDA National Members have valued the personalised advice and guidance they urgently needed to navigate the evolving uncertainties, so they could keep on providing safe patient care.
Sadly, some of the most marginalised people in society became every more isolated during COVID-19, and those on the frontline of mental health services have been trying to work through the pain and angst experienced by patients who were already struggling. This additional burden on already vulnerable patients has translated into a range of issues, including misuse and diversion of stimulant medication, increased suicidality and self-harm, and the loss of rapport when face to face consultations were temporarily suspended and telehealth became the new norm.
Psychiatrists are more likely to receive a complaint for a report issued as an independent medical examiner than a report issued as a treating doctor, but this is the case across all medical specialties. We have seen an increase in disputes arising from retrospective expert opinions in complex medico-legal claims. Your clinical opinion may differ from that of your colleague, but you should always show professional courtesy when providing your opinion.
Below are some things to think about in 2021 and beyond:
- Document key clinical thought processes leading to diagnosis, as this can be key to defending a claim or complaint from a patient or a relative.
- Always obtain and document informed consent - and provide appropriate warnings and instructions before prescribing medication.
- Consider referring to a colleague who may have a greater expertise or more experience with the problem your patient is facing.
- Brush up on the OAIC’s Guide to Health Privacy, which provides excellent advice on how to manage requests for personal health information.
And remember - you only have the capacity to care for others if you take care of yourself.
Resources
MDA National provides timely education to help our Members minimise their medico-legal risk and continually improve their communication and non-clinical skills.
We’ve put together a handful of our resources particularly relevant to interns below. You will also find a series of Podcasts on Apple Music and Spotify.
Articles and case studies
- 12 commandments to mitigate Ahpra notifications
- Winding up your medical practice
- Ransomware - a real and credible threat
- Shared decision-making and five-question model
- Corridor consultations with colleagues - an ethical dilemma
Videos / webinar recordings
- Systematic efforts to reduce harms due to prescribed opioids – webinar recording
-
Privacy Q&A: practical, proactive advice & answers to your information security questions – webinar excerpt
- Privacy & Info Security in Private Medical Practice – webinar excerpt
-
Avoiding Medical Marketing Mistakes – webinar excerpt
e-Learning activities
Other resources
- Head over to the MDA National library to see our full suite of articles, blog posts, webinars and podcasts.
|
Resources |
MDA National provides timely education to help our Members minimise their medico-legal risk and continually improve their communication and non-clinical skills.
We’ve put together a handful of our resources particularly relevant to interns below. You will also find a series of Podcasts on Apple Music and Spotify.
Articles and case studies
- 12 commandments to mitigate Ahpra notifications
- Winding up your medical practice
- Ransomware - a real and credible threat
- Shared decision-making and five-question model
- Corridor consultations with colleagues - an ethical dilemma
Videos / webinar recordings
- Systematic efforts to reduce harms due to prescribed opioids – webinar recording
-
Privacy Q&A: practical, proactive advice & answers to your information security questions – webinar excerpt
- Privacy & Info Security in Private Medical Practice – webinar excerpt
-
Avoiding Medical Marketing Mistakes – webinar excerpt
e-Learning activities
Other resources
- Head over to the MDA National library to see our full suite of articles, blog posts, webinars and podcasts.
Have you downloaded MDA National mobile app?
Downloading the app is easy. Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for MDA National. Log into the app using your email address or Member Number and the password you use to access your MDA National Online Services account. FAQs for your reference
Have a question or prefer a quote by phone?
Contact your State Business Development Specialist directly, phone our Member Services team on 1800 011 255 (8:30am to 8:00pm AEST Monday to Friday) or e-mail peaceofmind@mdanational.com.au.
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Subscribe to our medico-legal blog at the bottom of this page so you can stay up to date with the latest medico-legal updates and best practice advice, relevant to the medical profession.
