Editor’s Word: Welcome Rahni

Editor’s Word

In a world where trust is hard to come by, there’s one group of professionals that is repeatedly ranked among those society believes in most doctors. Experience is rated as the number one most valued quality, followed by education and sincerity. Few professions require the level of education and experience demanded of doctors. Yet this cherished profession faces relentless and mounting challenges, with doctors feeling less valued and supported than ever.

The opportunity to help the Australian Medical Association (NSW) in its tireless efforts to advocate for doctors and doctors-in-training is one I’m very enthusiastic to take on. After a long career in journalism, it is my hope that my skills and experience will help to tell the stories of members and highlight the issues that are important to them.

I learnt a lot about the practice of medicine as the Seven Network’s Health Reporter. For three years I covered issues from policy and politics to medical breakthroughs and daily health challenges. Over eight years at Seven’s Sunday Night program I compiled long-form reports on countless medical and health-related issues. I won the Victor Chang Award for Excellence in Cardio Thoracic Journalism for an in-depth piece about women and heart disease. I was twice the recipient of the National Press Club’s Health Journalism award; in 2011 for a story on an experimental treatment for Multiple Sclerosis and in 2012 for a piece on early onset Alzheimer’s disease. As a US Correspondent of seven years standing, I gained valuable insights into the differences between the Australian and the American health systems.

Doctors, and doctors-in-training, this is your magazine. Here at AMA (NSW) we want to hear from you, which is why we’ve added two new sections – Health Heroes and The Soapbox. Health Heroes is where you tell us about a person or group deserving recognition. From the smallest of good deeds to the greatest technological feats. The Soapbox provides an opportunity to raise issues you believe require further attention or discussion, positive or negative. Issues highlighted may serve us a guide in another new endeavour the formation of AMA (NSW) special interest groups.

I hope you enjoy this edition of NSW Doctor, which has as its focus workplace relations (WR). WR advice is one of the most valuable services provided by the Australian Medical Association (NSW). Headed by a former partner in a major law firm and supported by a team of lawyers, paralegals and HR experts, the WR department offers solutions to problems facing doctors in and out of the hospital system. The extent of problems the team is willing to address, and the lengths to which it will go to help members will probably surprise you.

I’m looking forward to hearing and sharing the experiences of the members of AMA (NSW). Please write to me at magazine@amansw.com.au

Rahni Sadler, Editor

The Soapbox

Tell us how you feel
Write to us about what’s on your mind how you feel about health policy, management, practice, shortages, ramping, hours, staffing, equipment, public health, media coverage, public disinformation. Tell us about something your practice/hospital is doing that others could learn from. Raise an issue that you think needs to be addressed. Put the focus back on a subject that has fallen off the radar. Is there something you’ve been experiencing that nobody seems to discuss? What more could the AMA be doing for you? Write to us at magazine@amansw.com.au We will contact you before any contribution is published.