Doctor What? Doctor Where? podcast explores tackling medico-legal as an intern

Many rural doctors feel uneasy about the medico-legal aspect of their job when they’re an intern. But while it is natural to feel uneasy, there is plenty of support available from senior doctors, nurses and administration staff.

While the media often focuses on ‘suspicious’ deaths, relating to homicide, that only makes up less than 2% of all the casework that’s carried out by forensic doctors. Indeed ‘suspiciousness’ is not even a criteria for reporting. So what is?

Medico-legal, is not about blame, rather it’s about understanding how the death occurred and whether any systems need improving.

This episode features advice on how to seek out help if you are writing your first death certificate and how to ‘keep it simple’ when filling one out. Understanding when to report to the coroner is also discussed, along with what happens if you are required to prepare documentation for a coronial inquest.

Episode guests

Resources

  • For more information about the study and training opportunities across regional Victoria, head to the Monash Rural Health website.
  • The North West Victoria and Gippsland Regional Training Hubs have commissioned this podcast to help medical students and junior doctors learn more about training and practising medicine in regional Australia. Find your nearest Regional Training Hub.

The Doctor What? Doctor Where? Stories of Rural Medicine podcast is produced by Monash Rural Health’s Regional Training Hubs and supported by the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program