Presentation: Navigating the Australian Regulatory Landscape AND Keeping Well

Abstract:  Exposure to regulation is very common in Australia – referrals to AHPRA, PSR and Medicare are 7,500 practitioners annually representing up to 7% of all practitioners. For many it is a painful and challenging experience, one of the worst of their professional lives. What is the landscape of regulation in Australia and why is it essential? How do we maintain the highest standards of practice, protect the community and still protect each other? Antonio has spent decades in both regulation, currently as Director of PSR, clinical practice, and doctors’ health and wellbeing, and has for many years educated ANU students and graduates on self-care and ethics. The presentation will map out the Australian landscape with a focus on education, professional standards, and caring for our colleagues.

Presenter: Clinical Associate Professor Antonio Di Dio grew up in rural parts of Italy and NSW and attended Sydney University. He has been a GP for 30 years and has been a long-term practice principal in Canberra. His passions include practitioner wellbeing and representing the interests of patients and their doctors. He was AMA ACT President 2018-2021, served on many boards and committees, and was Chair of the International Assessment Panel under Medevac Legislation for refugees in 2019. For 25 years he has served as a volunteer for distressed doctors and currently is the Deputy Chair of the National Drs4Drs Board and for many years was volunteer Director of the ACT service. He was awarded the AMA national presidential Medal in 2020 for services to doctors health, and to refugees. Antonio has been involved in teaching roles and currently lectures at ANU, and in health regulation, including work for all key regulators over many years, chairing the Australian Health Regulators Network. He is currently Director of PSR as well as clinician and teacher. His passions include speaking across every part of the Australian Public Service to improve culture and well-being through education on values and burnout prevention. His passions are family, friends, literature, music, comics, charity endeavours and many of Australia’s most disastrous sporting teams.