In the ever evolving world of South African healthcare, medical professionals shoulder the immense responsibility of delivering quality care while safeguarding their professional integrity and financial stability.
In this newsletter, we aim to highlight some of our ongoing efforts to offer steadfast, comprehensive, reliable and trustworthy support to our doctors.
In support of the invaluable humanitarian aid provided by Gift of the Givers during times of crisis, which includes selfless acts of kindness by volunteer medical practitioners, EthiQal recently made a donation to support the work of the Foundation.
Humanity has never had as much access to information as we do today. But does this access lead to more knowledge and better healthcare? This is an important question to ask as we enter a new AI-augmented information age, writes Alex Brownlee, CEO of EthiQal and healthcare actuary.
Dr Hlombe Makuluma, EthiQal’s Medico Legal advisor, joined the panel discussion at the recent ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) Course.
Under the banner of ‘Bringing us together’, SASUOG recently hosted its annual conference where Dr Bettina Taylor was invited to speak about EthiQal’s claims experience relating to obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound examination.
Dr Bettina Taylor presented at the recent PMG Academic Meeting where she discussed medical malpractice insurance in depth.
A signature on a consent form without a balanced discussion does not constitute informed consent. So, how do you obtain proper informed consent? We break down the steps to help you understand the basics.
South Africa’s medico-legal problems are well documented. Our healthcare system is vulnerable with many healthcare workers working under stressful conditions, not to mention the uncertainty in relation to the implementation
Sometimes it may be appropriate to stop being someone’s doctor. When you decide to end the relationship with your patient, it is often perceived in a negative way by the
As we near the end of 2021 and celebrate EthiQal’s 5th birthday, I reflect on the past remarkable five years. EthiQal’s foundation documents from 2016 capture the early mission statement
EthiQal launched a new IT system “Nebula” in May this year. We identified the need to replace the existing IT system in 2020, with the intention that the right technology
Alex Brownlee answers a few questions about the role and importance of Medico-legal insurance.
EthiQal, South Africa’s only professional medical indemnity provider, has partnered financially with Operation Healing Hands (OHH) for a third year running, to provide life-changing and life-saving surgeries in the public
Doctor’s Day is celebrated on 16 November to acknowledge and thank South African doctors for the exceptional services they deliver on a daily basis. EthiQal is proud to continue to
A summons is a document issued by a court, which begins the litigation process. There are a variety of different summonses, however, the most common is a combined summons and
What is a subpoena? A subpoena compels a witness to provide a court with information or documents on a specific date, time and location. Failure to do so can lead
A retrospective, observational study of medicolegal cases against obstetricians and gynaecologists in South Africa’s private sector. Thesis by Dr B.Taylor
When applying for any type of insurance cover, insurers typically ask a set of questions that allows for evaluation of the risk to be protected. This forms part of underwriting –
The year 2020 saw the medical community at the frontline, facing tremendous pressure and uncertainty. For quite some time, the healthcare environment has been plagued with an increase in medical
For healthcare practitioners, the Covid-19 pandemic has created a totally different practice scenario with many doctors struggling to fulfil their primary professional obligations in a highly stressful, uncertain and constantly
Johannesburg – A combination of heightened mobility across various provinces, an increase in super-spreader events, a new virus variant and a decrease in compliance with social-distancing protocols have contributed to the
What is informed consent? Informed consent is a two-way dialogue between patient and their healthcare practitioner whereby the practitioner provides adequate information necessary to enable the patient to make an
by Alex Brownlee – Actuary and Executive Head of EthiQal South Africa recorded its first coronavirus case in early March 2020. Roughly seven months and over 700 000 positive coronavirus cases
EthiQal, a division of Constantia Insurance Company Limited, has launched yet another year of its Doctor’s Day initiative and calls on all South Africans to join them in celebrating our
Key Learnings from Risk Management Practice Reviews At EthiQal, we strive to provide affordable professional indemnity that is aligned with the risk posed by individual practices. We also endeavour to
It is important to remember that every prescription, note, report or document your practice prepares comes with clinical, ethical, and legal responsibilities. Unfortunately, there may be occasions where a patient is
EthiQal is saddened to learn of the death of anaesthetist Dr Abdulhay Munshi. There are no words to express the sorrow, horror and disbelief relating to the act of violence
For a second year, professional medical indemnity provider, EthiQal, has made a financial contribution to Operation Healing Hands (OHH), a non-profit organisation that performs life-saving surgeries in the public sector.
South Africa’s extended Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown is merely slowing down the infection rate to allow for the urgent continued expansion of its currently inadequate treatment and life-saving capacity. It’s a
The relationship between the patient and the healthcare practitioner: the legalities Mastering the theory of diseases and treatment, and the technical skills to perform intricate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, is
Johannesburg – A surprising number of GPs and specialists are unaware of the myriad ways in which they could fall victim to litigation, often believing this to be confined to
What is a subpoena? A subpoena compels a witness to provide a court with information or documents on a specific date, time and location under a penalty for failure. Are
Johannesburg – Talk to any doctor who’s faced litigation from a patient or their family, following an adverse event, and they’ll tell you how emotionally exhausting the process is. Risk
Lives and industries are becoming increasingly digital, and healthcare is no exception. More healthcare professionals are using social media in their personal, as well as professional capacity.
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a statutory body that protects the public, determines standards of professional education and training, and sets and maintains standards of ethical
A summons is a document issued by a court, which begins the litigation process. There are a variety of different summonses, the most common is a combined summons and it is used for medical malpractice claims.