A clinician who failed to take a full patient history during a text-based digital consult has run afoul of AHPRA.
The regulator has imposed conditions on a telehealth GP who prescribed weight-loss drugs to a patient whose history of anxiety should have been a contra-indication, according to medical indemnifier Avant Mutual.
The drug in question was appetite suppressant phentermine.
It was prescribed following a digital consult through what Avant called a “national mobile app service”, where the patient and doctor exchanged messages via a chat function prior to a video consult, where the GP prescribed phentermine.
While the doctor mentioned to the patient that they should see a dietician, he did not write a referral.
The next time he heard from the patient was on receiving a complaint notification from AHPRA.
The complaint claimed the GP had not performed a proper assessment and that the patient’s history of anxiety should have been considered prior to prescribing the drug.
“She stated her mental health suffered significantly and she experienced panic attacks, ruminating and obsessive paranoid thoughts,” Avant said.
“She also reported developing behavioural symptoms, including picking her skin and pulling her hair.”
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AHPRA ultimately found that the GP’s performance had been below the expected standard because he had failed to take a full medical history, did not personally write a dietician referral, had not kept proper medical records and did not consider alternatives before prescribing phentermine.
The regulator ultimately imposed conditions on the GP’s registration for six months, requiring him to undertake mentoring on patient assessment and communication, and issued an official caution.
Speaking to The Medical Republic on an unrelated matter, Avant solicitor Georgie Haysom said doctors involved in telehealth who were concerned that they may be at medicolegal risk could always contact their medical defence organisation for advice.
