Credentialling

Before an OTD can work in an Australian hospital, they will usually have to undergo a credentialling process. This applies to all doctors, from hospital non-specialists and general practitioners (family physicians) through to hospital specialists and visiting medical officers (VMOs---doctors who have been granted visiting rights at a particular hospital).

Credentials examined include formal qualifications, evidence of training, experience and clinical competence.

Once credentialled by the hospital, a doctor will generally be approved to provide specified medical services at the nominated hospital(s). These services can include the provision of accident and emergency services, in-patient care and, in some instances, procedural activities such as anaesthetics, surgery or obstetrics.

For organisations using the national Standard for Credentialling and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice of Medical Practitioners, for use in Public and Private Hospitals (Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2004), a new Handbook and CD-ROM are now available.

The Standard and the new Handbook and CD Rom have been developed to help organisations in ensuring that their medical practitioners have the knowledge, skills and local resources they need to deliver safe care in that setting. The Handbook and the Credentialling Standard can be downloaded from the Office of Safety and Quality website. Hard copies can be obtained through the Office of the Safety and Quality Council by emailing a request to safetyandquality@health.gov.au