CPD and Medical Registration
The decade began with significant changes to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for medical practitioners. In 2013, ASA had been busy developing an online tool to assist members who chose to not use the ANZCA CPD program to record their CPD. This was shortly followed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Medical Board of Australia introducing new regulations for CPD, sparking debate about their utility and value. The ASA continued to provide certification services to its members with audit compliance, despite the increasing influence of CPD programs being advocated for, and today offers CPD support through our work with CPD Home.
A Contentious MBS Review
A comprehensive review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) was initiated in 2014. The process was fraught with challenges, particularly for anaesthetists and anaesthestic practice. The review panel’s recommendations threatened to drastically reduce patient rebates for numerous procedures – especially for endoscopic and ophthalmic surgeries. The ASA’s policy and economic committees played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of these recommendations, successfully protecting patient access to affordable care.
The Decline of Medicare
Medicare, once a pillar of the nation’s healthcare, began to show signs of strain. A decade of cuts and neglect by successive federal governments had placed a growing financial burden on Australian medical practitioners. As the cost of providing care and clinical practice continued to rise, the gap between MBS rebates and actual expenses widened, exposing growing cracks in the system. Significant investment and a commitment to long-term reform are needed to shore up Medicare’s foundations and sustain equitable access to healthcare for all Australians.
Curbing Threat of Managed Care
The decade also saw the emergence of managed care as a potential threat to the profession. A health insurance company sought an ACCC exemption from collective bargaining, but the combined efforts of the AMA, ASA, COPS and others, successfully opposed this move.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the work of anaesthetists. The ASA actively advocated for the safety of our workforce in protection from infection, such as testing and promoting the use of HALO masks. Members were redeployed to various roles, including intensive care and contact tracing. The profession faced unprecedented challenges due to lockdowns and border closures.
Surgeon Mr Senthilkumar Sundaramurthy performs the first operation in a HALO PAPR unit
Device check and donning of the HALO mask during the 2020 COVID pandemic.