AMA releases corporate medical practice advice kit for doctors
The AMA has released a new publication - Corporatisation of Medical Practice: Decision Support Kit For Doctors.
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that joining a corporate medical practice would be one of the biggest decisions a doctor would have to make in his or her career.
"A corporate practice may not be what a doctor would ever have considered back at medical school but economic pressures and the management demands on traditional private general practice are making many doctors re-assess their career paths," Dr Phelps said.
"To continue practising medicine, many doctors are seeing joining a corporate practice as the only viable option for them.
"The AMA wants to help these doctors make informed decisions about their future before signing on the dotted line. After all, it is a big change moving from general practice or private specialist practice into a corporate structure as an employee.
"Our kit is aimed at making doctors equal partners in any negotiating process with their prospective new employers," Dr Phelps said.
The Decision Support Kit for Doctors covers most things that doctors need to consider before joining a corporate practice, including:
- Understanding the contract
- How to sell existing practice
- Negotiating appropriate remuneration
- Negotiating leave and working hours
- Support staff
- Security of employment
- Clinical independence.
"Corporate medical practices are appearing in increasing numbers at an increasing pace all over the country,"
Dr Phelps said.
"The AMA is helping doctors make this important career and life decision with security and certainty,"
Dr Phelps said.
Doctors wanting a copy of the kit should contact the AMA in Canberra on 02 6270 5400.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761