AMA25: Navigating influence
Adelaide played host to this year’s AMA National Conference from 1-2 August, and South Australian doctors were well-represented.
Former AMA SA President Dr Chris Moy led a vibrant, interactive session on achieving the most from campaign efforts at the AMA National Conference on Saturday.
AMA SA CEO Nicole Sykes joined former AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid, her AMA Tasmania counterpart Lara Giddings and AMA NSW President Dr Michael Bonning on the ‘Navigating Influence’ panel.
‘You have to work out how ask for your goal so it’s a win for you but also a win for everybody else,’ Dr Moy said.
Participants heard that advocacy based on strategic planning and evidence can ensure campaigners with fire in their bellies don’t have their passion extinguished.
Ms Sykes said she had learned in her two years at AMA SA that you can apply business principles to advocacy.
‘You must be able to articulate what the problem is and you need to know what you’re trying to achieve,’ she said. ‘There is strength in numbers, I’ve heard many stories from members who’ve tried to influence change by themselves with little to no response.
‘At the basis, it is about building relationships with key influencers, making sure you have the right experts at the table, and having those with factual information and lived experience tell their stories.’
Another highlight was the session on Road Safety which explored a range of current and emerging issues impacting road safety in Australia. AMA SA’s Road Safety Committee Chair Dr Monika Moy presented data on current road accident statistics and told the audience that road safety is a public health issue.
A panel discussion followed featuring the federal AMA’s Emergency Department representative Dr Sarah Whitelaw; Inspector Michael Turnbull, Officer in Charge of Traffic Services Branch Investigation at South Australia Police; and Associate Professor Jeremy Woolley, Director of the Centre for Automative Safety Research.
