Health Practitioners in the Media

Over the years many health practitioners including MIPS members have provided healthcare advice through television, radio and various other forms of media. MIPS occasionally receives enquiries from members who wish to participate in such activities about their cover.

Despite the surge in use of social media in addition to traditional forms of media there is no change in professional obligations. Healthcare advice must still be provided with the same degree of professional diligence, care and caution.

Requirements of the Medical or Dental Board

The Medical Board has proposed a social media policy which has been circulated for consultation. It contains guidelines that apply equally to all practitioners whether participating in general or social media.

Professional standards must be maintained and healthcare practitioners must be aware of the consequences of their professional advice and actions. The principles are articulated by AHPRA in the codes of conduct for both medical and dental practitioners. Important expectations include compliance with advertising, privacy and confidentiality requirements and presenting information in an unbiased, evidence informed context while at all times avoiding making unsubstantiated claims. It is also important to consider that any comment, statement or other material that is provided may end up and remain in the public domain.

MIPS members (intending to promulgate their views in the media) should be familiar with the guide to online professionalism published by the AMA and medical students associations of Australia and New Zealand.

MIPS’ position

Providing general advice of a healthcare nature (rather than specific healthcare advice to a patient) via the many forms of media is not the provision of healthcare as defined at 13.4 in the MIPS Members’ Medical Indemnity Insurance Policy.

However in the event of a non medical indemnity complaint, investigation or claim arising from such activity members may approach MIPS for assistance under MIPS Protections where the matter arises out of a member’s professional activities.

MIPS recommends you:

should have the appropriate recognised qualifications, training and experience for the health conditions, services and treatments on which you comment
maintain an appropriate membership category
provide only accurate current information
familiarise yourself with Board codes and guidelines
advise your audience that anyone with a health concern should see a GP as soon as possible
provide an appropriate disclaimer.

Please refer any queries to 1800 061 113 or info@mips.com.au

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