AMA To Examine the Impact of Third Millennium Medicine
The medical workforce, doctor-patient relationships and the ethics of medicine will undergo radical changes as we move into the third millennium, Executive Councillor of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Robert Hodge said today.
Speaking at the AMA's National Conference in which Dr Hodge will chair the 'Medicine in the Third Millennium Policy Discussion Group', he said that the AMA was gearing itself for the medico-political and professional challenges ahead.
"Third millennium medicine is around the corner and while it is absolutely fascinating and an exciting time to be in the medical profession, doctors and especially surgeons should keep a close eye on developments," Dr Hodge said.
"What lies ahead includes:
- mainstream genetic testing which will increase preventive health medicine;
- robots and computers to be used in surgical procedures; and
- an increase in the use of telecare to improve remote medicine.
"However, the ramifications of such advances can in some ways change the structure of the medical workforce. For instance robotics has the potential to reduce the number of surgeons needed for a surgical team on complicated procedures. There will however, be a corresponding increase in the requirement for surgical consultations.
"We will need to better understand and predict the type of medical workforce needed in the future and to recognise the skill mix required. For instance, we may need fewer surgeons but more general practitioners and interventional radiologists.
"We must ensure that the ethics of advanced medical procedures, and investigations - whether using robotics or understanding the genetic basis of disease - are not compromised and that clear guidelines are available for the profession for it to remain consistent in its approach to medical technologies.
"The profession must grasp these technologies with enthusiasm but equally the profession must analyse the evidence and efficacy for patient outcomes.
"It is our duty to ensure that health care standards in the third millennium are enhanced by such advances, are safer and accessible for those in need, but we also must be aware of our ethical duties in patient care. We must be aware of not only what we can do but when we should do it," Dr Hodge said.