Risk Management Program and Seminars

Most of you will be well aware by now that there has been considerable upheaval in respect to Public Indemnity (PI) insurance. Generally there have been significant premium increases for all industries, in particular the healthcare sector, thus affecting chiropractic and osteopathy.

COCA, in conjunction with our broker Aon Professional Services and the underwriter Royal and Sunalliance, has made a firm commitment in 2002 to provide a comprehensive Risk Management Program.

In recognition of this commitment COCA has developed a two-tiered program to enable maximum benefit for all practitioners wanting to address risk minimisation in their practice.

The program is structured in a distance education module that contains very comprehensive notes based on the latest evidence in the literature and clinical guidelines in conjunction with various useful forms e.g. informed consent forms, history and examination forms, that can be immediately utilised in your practice.

Further to this, COCA is conducting seminars in Risk Management, which provides a forum to reinforce the distance education module, and gain an overview from clinicians and representatives of the insurance industry. These seminars will provide a very practical approach that will demonstrate how to initiate a risk management strategy into your practice

The COCA Executive is of the view that this approach to risk management is set at the highest possible standard, and reflects the commitment of the College and its members to minimising the risk to our patients and optimising patient care.

COCA and Aon Professional Risk Services have been able to minimise premium increases by collaborating to provide COCA members with this comprehensive risk management program.In order for COCA members to enjoy this lower premium they will be required to complete COCA’s Risk Management Distance Education Module (DEM).

The DEM covers the following topics:

• Insurance and Legal Aspects of Risk Management & Claims
• Vertebrobasilar Stroke Minimisation in Practice
• Radiological Imaging Guidelines
• Sexual Harassment Issues
• History, Examination and Record Keeping
• Sprains/Strains & Disc Injury Minimisation
• Informed Consent

As well as the DEM, COCA is inviting all chiropractors and osteopaths to attend a Risk Management Seminar. This seminar compliments the DEM by providing an overview of all the risk management topics included in the DEM as well as providing the audience with the opportunity to ask questions regarding claims procedures and risk minimisation procedures.

We look forward to seeing you at your local seminar.