CPD content

eLearning Courses

eLearning coursesPractising professionally, Patient communication
Exploring challenging patient interactions – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed eLearning - Exploring challenging patient interactions (RACGP Activity #866274 ).
eLearning coursesPractising professionally, Patient communication
Exploring challenging patient interactions

The Exploring challenging patient interactions eLearning course aims to assist you to continue developing communication skills in some of the more challenging situations you face in your practice.

eLearning coursesPatient communication
Sexual boundaries – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed eLearning - Difficult conversations (RACGP Activity #528438 ).
eLearning coursesProfessionalism & ethics
Sexual boundaries

The Sexual boundaries course aims to help you build on your knowledge for managing boundaries with your patients in keeping with the professional expectations in the Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia.

It follows on from the Professional Boundaries course which should be completed before commencing this module.

eLearning coursesAdverse events
Common medico-legal issues for GPs

This course is based on a hypothetical case study about a GP's failure to follow up a patient who was referred for investigation of a breast lump. The delays in diagnosis and treatment led to the patient requiring surgery and chemotherapy. The prognosis was poor and the condition becomes palliative.

eLearning coursesPatient communication
Communication fundamentals Developing and maintaining skills in effective communication has benefits for both patients and practitioners. These include eliciting more information from patients, saving time and building a strong foundation that can assist with other difficult conversations.
eLearning coursesPatient communication
Communication fundamentals – post measuring outcomes activity This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed the eLearning - Communication fundamentals (RACGP Activity #480377)
eLearning coursesPatient communication
Communication in clinical practice Some clinical contexts may require you to adapt your communication style to meet the need of your patient. This module outlines advice on how best to approach these scenarios.
eLearning coursesPatient communication
Communication in clinical practice - post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed eLearning - Communication in clinical practice (RACGP Activity #528462)..
eLearning coursesManaging difficult patients
Communication strategies for challenging patient behaviours

The relationship between a doctor and patient is at the core of a clinical consultation. This course aims to refresh skills to assist the medical practitioner during a consultation with a difficult patient.

eLearning coursesConsent
Consent: informed consent and more

Australian law and medical practice reflect the fundamental ethical principle of autonomy: recognising that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their medical treatment. Except in a life-threatening emergency, a patient with capacity needs to give voluntary and informed consent before undergoing any examination, investigation, procedure or treatment.

eLearning coursesDocumentation & medical records, Patient communication
Consultation insights Communication issues are fundamental to good consultations. This module is designed to support you to consolidate your consultation structure and general communication skills so that your patients get the most value from their time with you, and you get all the information you need to treat the patient.
eLearning coursesProfessionalism & ethics
Consultation insights – post measuring outcomes activity This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed eLearning - Consultation insights (RACGP Activity #489222 ).
eLearning coursesPatient communication
Difficult conversations Developing and maintaining skills in effective communication has benefits for both patients and practitioners. These include eliciting more information from patients, saving time and building a strong foundation that can assist with other difficult conversations. 
eLearning coursesPatient communication
Difficult conversations – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed eLearning - Difficult conversations (RACGP Activity #528438 ).
eLearning coursesDiagnosis & treatment
Gathering Diagnostic Information

This module aims to refresh communication skills that may assist the medical practitioner to gather appropriate and useful diagnostic information during a consultation.

eLearning coursesAdverse events
Managing adverse events for registrars

This course is based around a hypothetical case study. Dr Lai, a cardiothoracic surgery registrar, transects a patient’s costochondral cartilages during surgery. The hospital receives a complaint from the 70 year old male patient. Dr Lai discusses the situation with the consultant surgeon and the Director of Clinical Governance but is unsure of how to respond. The hospital ultimately is delayed in providing a response and the patient issues a claim against all parties.

eLearning coursesProfessionalism & ethics
Managing boundary Issues for patients with mental health issues

This elearning course describes the challenges associated with identifying mental illness in patients, and managing the practitioner-patient professional boundary. Breakdown in the professional boundary can lead to significant problems for patients, and is one of the major reasons for complaints against practitioners.

eLearning coursesAdverse events
Managing Patient Expectations

This course is based around the hypothetical case study of a 21 year old aspiring model who consults Dr Mark Field a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Chantal has tight deadlines for her surgical outcomes and when those outcomes don't meet her expectations, she complains to Dr Field and seeks compensation.

eLearning coursesProfessionalism & ethics
Managing professional boundaries The Managing Professional Boundaries eLearning module aims to help you build on your knowledge for managing boundaries with your patients in keeping with the professional expectations in the Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia.
eLearning coursesProfessionalism & ethics
Managing professional boundaries – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional post Measuring Outcomes activity for GPs who have completed Activity #569482 (eLearning - Managing professional boundaries). In this activity, GP’s will develop and implement some personal boundaries to guide practice.
eLearning coursesDocumentation & medical records, Medical records
Medical records: Chapter one — documentation

The requirements for medical records include clinical guidelines and legal responsibilities. They are also a key communication tool, important evidence of the care you have given for colleagues, to Medicare, during a complaint process, or in a court of law. Key requirements are outlined in this course.

eLearning coursesDocumentation & medical records, Medical records
Medical records: Chapter two — legal requirements

The requirements for medical records include clinical guidelines and legal responsibilities. Your legal responsibilities include the obligations for privacy, storage and retention of records. The key requirements are outlined in this course.



eLearning coursesDocumentation & medical records, Medical records
Medical records: Chapter three — activity

Welcome to the Avant online course Medical records: Chapter three – activity. The requirements for the documentation of a consultation includes having a systematic and contemporaneous account of the consultation.


eLearning coursesAdverse events
Open Disclosure This course highlights the importance of the open disclosure process for medical practitioners working in the Australian health care setting. Patients, their families and carers and clinicians are often dissatisfied with open disclosure processes. This course provides an overview of the Open Disclosure framework including types of clinical incidents, and clinician and organisational responses to incidents. Included are practical tips on how to apply the framework in your clinical setting, acknowledging that effective open disclosure is a key component in meeting professional obligations around quality and safety.
eLearning coursesPrescribing
Prescribing principles: Part one – general prescribing issues Prescribing practices represent some of the most frequent mistakes in medical practice and can often lead to claims. This module outlines advice on how to best manage some of the key areas where mistakes are made. 
eLearning coursesPrescribing
Prescribing principles: Part one – post activity measuring outcomes activity This is an optional post Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed Prescribing Principles part 1 (RACGP activity 607679). 
 In this activity you will develop and implement some techniques to reduce prescriptions errors or other prescribing issues. .
eLearning coursesPrescribing
Prescribing principles: Part two – opioids and other drugs of dependence Prescribing practices represent some of the most frequent mistakes in medical practice and can often lead to claims. This module outlines advice on how to best manage some of the key areas where mistakes are made.
eLearning coursesPrescribing
Prescribing principles: Part two – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional post Measuring Outcomes activity for those who have completed Prescribing Principles -part two -opioids (RACGP Activity #607758). In this activity you will implement clinical and legal updates.
eLearning coursesAdverse events
When patients complain

This course explores common medico-legal issues that Urologists face in their everyday practice. This course is based around the hypothetical case study of a 78 year old male who consults Dr Burns regarding his prostrate. Mr Young's surgery has unexpected adverse outcomes and a complaint is made.

Handbooks

HandbooksCommunication
When Patients Complain This handbook explores how to deal with different types of complaints that you may receive in your practice. Avant’s Medico-legal Advisory Service receives many requests from our members asking for advice after they have received a patient complaint. As this handbook will make clear, the response depends on the type of complaint.

RACGP ALM

RACGP ALMCommunication, Consent
Communication and Consent (Update)

This course has a medico-legal overview and discusses the importance of good communication in clinical practice and how this contributes to a sound consent process. The program is entirely online and has 6-8 hours of content with some additional reading as required.

This course has 16 RACGP CPD activity points


Webinars

eLearning coursesPractising professionally
Patient complaints – cascading consequences – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional post Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed Activity 866270 (eLearning – Prescribing principles: Part three – An update).
WebinarsPractising professionally
Patient complaints - cascading consequences

In this medico-legal webinar, Avant experts take you through a series of escalating patient concerns that could have been avoided.  Using insights from patients and other research, we'll help you understand what a patient really wants when they complain to a doctor or practice, and how this may affect whether or not they make a regulatory complaint.

eLearning coursesDigital health
AI’s expanding horizon in healthcare In this medico-legal webinar, we will discuss various innovations in artificial intelligence in medicine, the associated risks and the future of AI in clinical care.
eLearning coursesDigital health
Ai’s expanding horizon in healthcare – post activity measuring outcomes This is an optional Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed eLearning - Ai’s expanding horizon in healthcare (RACGP Activity #953012).
eLearning coursesMedico-legal issues, Prescribing, Practising professionally, Patient communication
Prescribing principles: Part three – An update – post activity measuring outcomes activity This is an optional post Measuring Outcomes activity for doctors who have completed Activity 866270 (eLearning – Prescribing principles: Part three – An update).
WebinarsPrescribing
Prescribing principles: Part three – An update

In this medico-legal webinar, Avant experts, take you though a prescribing scenario with a series of cascading events that result in serious consequences. The scenario helps highlight important considerations when a friend or family member needs medication and asks you for a prescription.

Our experts discuss:

  • issues associated with treating family or friends
  • prescribing drugs of dependence
  • need for authorities
  • real time prescription monitoring.

Avant experts will also detail the consequences from the cases so you can understand how the regulators viewed such situations.

WebinarsEmployment matters
Hanging up your stethoscope: thinking about, preparing and planning for retirement

The webinar will be entitled “Hanging up your stethoscope: thinking about, preparing and planning for retirement”. Specifically, the topics for discussion will include:

  • Identify important factors to consider when determining an optimal time to retire
  • Identify the factors related to ageing that increase your level of risk
  • Outline the legal requirements of selling or winding down a practice
  • Implement strategies to make a smooth transition from practice to retirement
WebinarsCommunication
Insights and strategies to manage difficult patient situations

This webinar will give an overview of current knowledge and best practice in relation to managing difficult patient situations. Topics covered include:

  • General advice when managing a difficult patient situation
  • Types of difficult patient situations
  • Patient complaints and responses
  • Ending the doctor-patient relationship 
WebinarsCommunication
Medicare compliance - reducing your risk

Medicare compliance activity can take several different formats ranging from education to audits. This webinar explores ways you can reduce your risk of Medicare compliance activity and maintain best practice. Topics covered include:

  • Medicare compliance and requirements
  • Advice to reduce the risk of a Medicare audit
  • Documentation requirements for Medicare
WebinarsCommunication
More than words: communication and clinical-handover

The webinar will be entitled “More than words: communication and clinical-handover”.

Learning objectives:

  • Discuss the reasons clinical handover is an important quality safety standard.
  • Describe the tools available to clinicians around effective clinical handover.
  • Identify the patient risks associated with poor clinical handover and how to reduce these risks.
WebinarsProfessionalism & ethics
Professionalism in medicine: exploring the code of conduct

This webinar discusses the Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia as the foundational document that establishes the professional framework for medical practitioners in Australia. The code of conduct was updated in late 2020 and this discussion brings attention to the aspects of the code that have been amended or added as well as a general discussion of the key concepts. It includes:

  • The key principles of professionalism as it relates to the medical profession.
  • The role the code of conduct has in guiding professional standards.
  • The key standards and expectations discussed in the code.

WebinarsConsent
Sign here- how to overcome obstacles in gaining consent

The webinar will be entitled “Sign here: how to overcome obstacles in gaining consent”. Specifically, the topics for discussion will include:

  • Identify issues which may complicate the consent process
  • Illustrate the provisions surrounding implied consent
  • Illustrate the provisions surrounding consent in the emergency setting
  • Identify risk management strategies which can be implemented to help obtain consent in difficult situations
WebinarsProfessionalism & ethics
Treating staff members, family and friends

Guidelines issued by the Medical Board of Australia say that whenever possible, doctors should avoid providing medical care to anyone with whom they have a close personal relationship.

Recorded on 26 August 2020, this webinar explores the issues arising from this statement giving practical advice and exploring case scenarios.


WebinarsDiagnosis & treatment
Understanding Diagnostic Errors

Diagnostic error is a clinical event that is reported to occur in approximately 10% of all cases. For the majority of these cases there is minimal impact to the patient, but in some situations the impact can be significant. In this discussion, with international expert Dr Mark Graberand Avant's Dr Owen Bradfield, we explore practical advice to help reduce the frequency of diagnostic errors and improve patient safety.

Videos

VideosCommunication
Medicare Audits and Compliance

Avant provides support for you if you are required to undergo a Medicare audit. In this video we discuss how to improve your practice so you can reduce the risk of being the subject of an audit. We also look at the Medicare compliance process and how it works.

Avant Assist

Surgeon

eLearning coursesCommunication
Avant Assist for surgical specialists

GP

eLearning coursesCommunication
Avant Assist for non-surgical practitioners