Update in December 2015

In December 2014, Obstetricians in Asia receive short term notice that their professional indemnity will change from occurrence to claim made basis immediately. They also have anxiety that the tool on which their protection relies, discretionary coverage, may be used in future not to their advantage. Obstetricians had a feeling that they were unfairly treated, whether it be factually true or otherwise.  They are also worried that their entire professional and financial security will be at stake, especially after they retire.

The Hong Kong College of O&G (HKCOG) handled the indemnity crisis with collective leadership over year 2015.  The core attitudes were humility and maximal efforts with communication.  Unluckily, throughout the year, there was no effective change from the existing indemnity provider.

We sought help from society, and many stakeholders extended help without expectation on returns. In particular, the insurance industry in Hong Kong gathered their strength and advised us doctors.  We also appreciate very much opinion and moral support from many others.

Many doctors consider one source of the event was effective monopoly in provision of indemnity to hospital practitioners. There was clear and unified voice to let in competition.

From the author’s perspective, left alone the cost of subscriptions will rise to unaffordable levels quickly.  The wake-up bang from the existing provider is a timely call for collective actions. In other places of the world, medical indemnity will halt private medical care.  The dual track health care system in HK, as it is called, may break one leg if we leave matters to Mother Nature.  It is not yet time to turn to our mainland friends for help – not until we gain initial experience to manage the situation in our own hands.

This place is Hong Kong, a place where cultures and virtues of the East meets those of the West. Hongkongders blend these elements into logical solutions useful in the 21st century, instead of hanging onto expired methodology of the past.  Hopefully future doctors in Asia will see how their HK predecessors sweat and even bleed to protect core values of the place, and carry our torches on.

Readers please join me to pray that we have a better day each day. The sun continues to shine, and it is reasonable to expect that the sky clears up in 2016.

 

Previous message on this page written in June 2015

Last Dialogue message to HKCOG trainees, members and fellows