Better health outcomes if doctors are engaged in hospital governance

A new AMA position statement says greater involvement of doctors in hospital governance contributes to doctor wellbeing and better health outcomes for patients. 

The AMA’s new position statement calls for medical practitioners to be involved in decision making on resource allocation, clinical leadership, safe work environments and the purchasing of services for patient care in hospitals.

Stating its views on the optimal management of public and private hospitals, the AMA says doctors at all stages of their career should be engaged in hospital governance, and will advance equity, inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

The AMA says hospital workplace culture can be improved with doctors’ involvement in governance. This includes acknowledging that that poor workplace culture linked to poorer patient outcomes.

The AMA says doctors are clinical leaders and have the ultimate clinical responsibility for patient care and add essential expertise to the management of hospitals, in addition to resource allocation.

The AMA has been concerned with recent moves in public and private hospitals towards open plan offices and non-clinical spaces despite growing evidence they do not result in increased collaboration and can contribute to stress and fatigue.

The AMA believes that targets and key performance indicators for hospital management must be developed in consultation with doctors and must include doctors’ psychosocial safety and wellbeing as well as medical staff retention.

The AMA will continue to advocate for all stakeholders, including ministers and health administrators, to act on doctors' recommendations for healthcare planning and service delivery. AMA memebers are encouraged to share this position statement with their peers to amplify our advocacy.

Read the full position statement here.