5 Things Scarier than an AHPRA Complaint for a Health or Medical Professional

When we are talking to health and medical professionals about what they are most afraid of in business, one of the most regular items that comes up is that someone complains about them to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Don’t get us wrong, as we also share similar concerns about potentially having a Law Society complaint. It is something that unites all health and medical professionals, from surgeons, to emergency department doctors, to GPs, to dentists, to physios and psychologists. The uncertainty of what would happen if you received an AHPRA complaint is one thing to fear, but we consider there are 5 things scarier than an AHPRA complaint… Intrigued? Read on!

1. Not Taking Your Personal Health and Work-Life Balance Seriously

As a professional, you rely on your ability to work. Most health and medical professionals need to be able to get up and get into the clinic (or working telehealth if you’re not in a clinic). Therefore, prioritising your personal health, safety, and wellness is crucial because they form the foundation of e your professional life, influencing various aspects, including but not limited to:

(a) Professional growth and satisfaction;
(b) Financial stability, and
(c) Colleagues who you trust and respect.

Are you neglecting your own health and personal life due to the demanding nature of your profession? We had a client last year who sold their practice, and when we called to find out where to send their Christmas present, we heard back from their partner that they had been diagnosed with a tumour and were now unable to communicate with us themselves. Not maintaining a healthy work-life balance and its impact on personal relationships, physical health, and overall quality of life is a significant concern. It is never too early in a professional career to start taking this important aspect into account.

2. Working too hard on things that are not in Your Expertise

Mentioned first in, Growing a Medical Practice: From Frustration to a High Performance Business medical professionals are used to being the smartest person in the room, which often at times means that they are confident in many areas of life, not only the profession they are trained in. We often see medical professionals taking legal documentation into their own hands and drafting from scratch, or worse, taking a document that has been prepared by a lawyer for another practice and adapting it for use in their own clinic. There are many risks (including copyright infringement) with doing this, and understanding when you need expert professional assistance is a skill.

It is scary to see doctors taking these risks when the costs of obtaining expert advice, whether that be engaging a bookkeeper or accountant at an appropriate time, or the guidance of a designer to design your new clinic, or engaging a lawyer, especially expert lawyers who understand health and medical law to ensure your legal and regulatory risks are minimised, is often cheaper in the long run than trying to do it yourself. Even worse, delegating these responsibilities to your Practice Manager and expecting them to figure it all out themselves can also lead to unfavourable outcomes.

3. Falling Behind in Technological and Digital Transformation

The rapid integration of new technologies, such as electronic health records, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostic tools, can be daunting for practitioners, and it’s hard to know where to spend your time in learning about them. Doctors may worry about falling behind in digital literacy, making errors due to unfamiliarity with new systems, or facing ethical dilemmas brought about by AI in healthcare – all cases perceived to be far scarier than an AHPRA complaint.

Looking into options to support your clinic or practice, save time, and provide a more streamlined experience for your patients (and hopefully lead to a more profitable practice) is 100% worth your time.

If you are not sure where to start, we speak with thought leaders and changemakers who share a common goal of making health more accessible to everyone on the Hacking Health Podcast. It is available to watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify. Learn more here.

4. Overlooking Changes in the Law Relevant to Practice

Shifts in the law, healthcare policy, insurance, and Medicare models can drastically affect medical practices. It can sometimes seem like a full time job keeping up with these items if you are running a medical practice. Doctors may fear the implications of these changes on their ability to provide care, the financial viability of their practices, and the quality of patient care, and this fear is far scarier than the risk of an AHPRA complaint.

We are still hearing from practitioners who are not aware of the discussions about payroll tax, the risk of the payment of superannuation to contractors and other issues we have been educating the profession about for many years.

One way to keep on top of the issues in the profession is to sign up for newsletters from the AMA, AHPRA, your College or professional association, and of course, we suggest signing up for the You Legal fortnightly newsletter, which if you are not already receiving you can sign up here. Please feel free to recommend this free resource to colleagues as well.

5. Experiencing A Data Breach

Given all medical and health professionals receive and handle sensitive and personal information in their practices, any loss of this information has the potential to cause serious harm to anyone affected by a breach. We all saw the recent Medibank and Optus data breaches in Australia highlighted the significant repercussions and impact that they had on these large organisations.

Smaller organisations, of course, are also susceptible to data breaches and their impact. If the procedures for responding to data breaches, loss, or theft of patient records are not followed, there can be devastating consequences to medical practices, as there are practice crippling fines that can be applied. It is crucial for doctors to consider the immediate steps to mitigate harm, notification processes to patients and authorities, and take remedial actions to prevent future occurrences – actions that carry far more impact than receiving an AHPRA complaint.

For those who have not yet considered a plan of action, our Fast Track solution will help you create personalised templates to train team members and use in the case of a data breach. Explore our solution here: Notifiable Data Breach Package

What’s Next?

While the prospect of an AHPRA complaint can be unsettling for any health or medical professional, it is important to recognise that there are challenges and risks that can pose even greater threats to your practice, career, and personal well-being. It is essential for you to take proactive steps to manage these risks, seeking expert advice when needed, staying informed about the latest developments in your field, and implementing robust systems to protect patient data.

By doing so, not only can you mitigate the risks that are scarier than an AHPRA complaint, but you can also enhance the quality of care you provide to your patients, ensure the sustainability of your practice, and maintain your own health and well-being. Remember, the key to overcoming these fears lies in preparation, education, and the willingness to seek support when necessary. Let's embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement, ensuring a brighter future for you and the communities you serve.

If you have any other questions about this topic or our fast-track solution, or anything else, you can contact us here.