Interactive Risk Management (IRM) Program
The IRM Program is an education program established by MIGA in April 2002 to provide members with an opportunity to undertake activities aimed at identifying and reducing the risks associated with medical practice.
The Program was the first of its kind to be introduced in Australia and remains at the forefront of member based risk management initiatives in the medical indemnity insurance industry.
The Program enables members to participate in a range of activities, including:
- Practice Review Evaluation Program, consisting of a Practice Self Assessment (Stage 1) and an Action Plan (Stage 2)
- Interactive Workshops
- One-day Conferences
- Online completion of Questionnaires and Quizzes
For activities completed online, members can obtain immediate scores and benchmark feedback against other participants.
Using technology to support doctors
Recognising that doctors are not always able to attend Workshops, a number of online activities are available to enable members to participate in risk management education in a way that can more easily fit with their busy work schedule and location.
Specific support for rural and remote doctors
For many doctors in rural and remote locations it isn't feasible to travel long distances to attend Workshops. To overcome this, in another first, the Program utilizes the internet to provide Online Workshops for rural and remote doctors. The Online Workshops enable doctors to participate in real-time and interact with colleagues around Australia from the comfort of their home or office.
Rewarding participation
Addressing risks in practice
Doctors participating in the Program have the opportunity to undertake activities aimed at identifying and reducing the risks associated with medical practice. Many doctors find that this increases their awareness and focus on the quality of patient care and outcomes for their patients.
Premium discount
Doctors participating in the IRM Program accrue Points for each completed activity. Doctors can earn a premium discount of up to 10% each year based on the number of IRM Points they accrue during the previous IRM year.
College CPD Points
The Program has been accredited by twelve Colleges, so completing MIGA risk management activities provides the dual benefit of College CPD Points and IRM Points towards a premium discount. MIGA also cross accredits a large number of College run risk management activities. Doctors participating in these College activities can earn IRM Points towards their premium discount as well as CPD points.
One of the key reasons for MIGA implementing a risk management program was international evidence that organisations that have introduced comprehensive risk management programs have had a steady decrease in claims and hence premiums for their members. In the long term we believe that involvement in the IRM Program will have a positive impact on claims outcomes for the individual and the profession, which can only help to stabilize future premiums.
Download the IRM Program Booklet
