Disciplinary notations on the Australian Register of Medical Practitioners

Clear guidance is needed on what information should be publicly available, and for how long

One of the fundamental realignments that has occurred to the doctor–patient relationship is the capacity of patients to acquire information from the internet and, on the basis of it, interact with their practitioners in new and different ways. Some of the knowledge that is readily accessible is empowering; much of it requires discernment and knowledge to enable informed evaluation. An emerging role for medical practitioners is to mediate such information, contextualise it and interpret it for their patients.