Are medical practices different overseas?
Australia and New Zealand are not particularly litigious countries. As a result, frivolous malpractice suits and huge settlements are unusual. Doctors are respected members of the community and patients are genuinely thankful for medical care. Both countries still focus heavily on quality patient care over the business and financial aspects of medicine – one of the top reasons many of our physicians choose to extend or repeat their locum experience. Prescriptions have different trade and generic names and formularies can be limited to a few medications in each category, rather than the full gamut. Doctors who work with us tell us that they generally find this system to be no better or worse than their native health care system, just different. They also say that they are able to adjust to the different trade and generic names within a very short period of time. Interpersonal interaction is usually the difference most often commented on by overseas physicians. Nurses and allied health p
