Mentoring is an important part of developing the next generation of ophthalmic surgeons. But if you are providing mentoring, teaching or professional support, have you told your indemnity provider?
For experienced ophthalmic surgeons, sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues and trainees is an important contribution to the future of the specialty.
However, as your professional responsibilities evolve, it is important to make sure that your indemnity arrangements evolve with you.
Mentoring matters
The development of confident, skilled ophthalmic surgeons depends not only on formal training, but also on the knowledge and experience shared by those already established in the profession.
Mentoring can provide invaluable support helping colleagues develop their clinical judgement, surgical skills and confidence, while providing an opportunity for experienced surgeons to pass on their expertise.
For those providing this support, it is important to understand where their professional indemnity begins and ends.
Tell your indemnity provider about your activities
If you have started mentoring or undertaking other professional activities outside your usual clinical role, make sure your indemnity provider is aware of what you are doing.
Your provider needs to understand the nature of your professional activities so that they can confirm whether these fall within the scope of your policy.
It is also worth checking whether taking on additional responsibilities has any implications for your premium.
Do not assume that an activity is automatically covered simply because it relates to your professional expertise.
A quick conversation with your indemnity provider can give you clarity and peace of mind.
What activities should you consider?
Every surgeon’s circumstances are different, but it is sensible to consider your indemnity position if you are undertaking activities such as:
- Formal or informal mentoring
- Teaching or professional education
- Supervision or support of other surgeons
- Supporting trainees or colleagues with surgical development
- Providing professional advice or guidance
- Taking on responsibilities outside your usual clinical role
This is not an exhaustive list, and whether an activity is covered will depend on the terms and conditions of your individual indemnity arrangements.
AOOSIS and their brokers MIC
At AOOSIS, we are keen to ensure that the professional activities undertaken by ophthalmic surgeons are appropriately supported.
We recognise that ophthalmic surgeons do much more than provide clinical care. Mentoring, education, supervision and professional development are all valuable contributions to our specialty.
The indemnity cover provided through MIC is designed to support ophthalmic surgeons in their professional activities, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the relevant policy.
If mentoring or another additional professional activity forms part of your work, we encourage you to make sure your indemnity provider knows about it and can confirm the appropriate cover.
A simple check can give you peace of mind
Your professional responsibilities can change over time. Taking on a mentoring role may feel like a natural progression, but it is still worth checking that your indemnity arrangements reflect what you are actually doing.
Before undertaking a new professional activity, ask your indemnity provider:
- Is this activity covered by my policy?
- Do I need to notify you that I am undertaking it?
- Could this activity affect my premium?
- Are there any specific conditions, limitations or exclusions I should be aware of?
Understanding your cover means you can continue to share your expertise and support the next generation of ophthalmic surgeons with confidence.
At AOOSIS, we want to support surgeons across the full range of their professional activities.
If you are mentoring, teaching or undertaking additional professional work, don’t leave your indemnity to chance. Check with your provider and make sure you have the cover you need.
If in doubt, always speak to your indemnity provider.
This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute advice or confirmation of insurance cover. The availability and scope of indemnity cover will depend on the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the relevant policy. Members should contact MIC directly to confirm whether their particular professional activities are covered and whether notification is required.
