Australian Medical Association

The costs associated with lifestyle related disease are increasing, evidence suggests that using financial incentives and disincentives with patients can encourage preventive health behaviours.

The costs associated with lifestyle related disease are increasing. Evidence suggests that using financial incentives and disincentives with patients can encourage preventive health behaviours. This AMA background paper outlines the currently available research on when financial incentives and disincentives are likely to be effective, and when they are not.

The AMA's submission highlights how important it is to inform registered medical practitioners (doctors), patients, their family and carers, and the wider public of the standard of behaviour expected of doctors in relation to sexual boundaries within the doctor-patient relationship. It’s imperative that doctors understand and respect their ethical and legal duties in relation to sexual boundaries. It’s also important that patients, their family members and carers understand and respect these boundaries as well. As such, the AMA believes that the guidelines need to be clear, comprehensive and avoid ambiguity.

MJA release - Male doctors are four times more likely than female doctors to be disciplined for misconduct, an analysis of professional discipline cases published in the Medical Journal of Australia has found.

Obstetrician-gynaecologists and psychiatrists had the highest rate of disciplinary action, followed by general practitioners.

Within the health care team, each professional brings a particular combination of training and experience which defines their role and responsibilities. This AMA Positition Statement outlines the core knowledge, skills and unique qualities of medical practice that make medical practitioners a pivotal part of Australia’s health system.  In this position statement the term ‘doctor’, which is the term in common community use, refers to a medical practitioner and the terms are used interchangeably.

The purpose of this Guideline is to clarify the responsibilities of medical practitioners, patients, and relevant third parties regarding certificates certifying illness ("sickness certificates") within the context of the doctor-patient relationship.

Doctors, particularly General Practitioners, provide preventative care to their patients on a regular basis. Doctors also coordinate the preventative care that patients need from other health care professionals, and promote health and prevention in the broader community. The AMA position statement "Doctors and Preventative Care 2010" describe these important aspects of a doctor's role.

The AMA's Position Statement on Medical Professionalism 2010 serves to identify the major values of the profession and highlight the profession's commitment, and indeed responsibility, to put patients first, regardless of the challenges posed by a dynamic health care and broader social environment.

AMA Position Statement: Ethical Considerations for Medical Practitioners in Public Health Emergencies in Australia - 2008

AMA Position Statement on Direct-to-Consumer Advertising - 2007