Doctors’ Week opens with focus on changing healthcare

The inaugural Doctors’ Week opened on Sunday, with acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Arthur Phillips saying doctors must continue to lead complex patient care as technology, better access to health information and wider multidisciplinary teams reshape healthcare delivery.

The changes could allow doctors to focus more on their expertise, judgement, leadership and management of complex clinical situations rather than diminish their role, he said at a commemorative service at James Street Methodist Church.

“Healthcare will continue to evolve, with technology, greater access to health information and multidisciplinary teams changing how care is delivered,” Dr Phillips said. “Some functions traditionally performed by doctors may increasingly be undertaken by patients or other trained members of the healthcare team.”