Smarter Practice podcast
Join Avant Practice Solutions' Anna-Maria Gibb as she explores key issues shaping Australian GP and specialist practices with guests from the healthcare and legal world.
Latest Episode
Getting recruitment right: A practical guide for medical practices
Recruitment is one of the most important things a practice owner or manager will do. With talent shortages and the risk of a bad hire, how do you get it right?
In this episode, Anna-Maria Gibb is joined by Julie Hawkins, Senior Manager at Avant’s HR Advisory, to explore what effective recruitment looks like in a medical practice.
They discuss:
- The real cost of a bad hire, beyond just advertising and time
- How to attract the right candidates in a competitive talent market
- Why position descriptions matter more than most practices realise
- What a structured interview process looks like and why it leads to better decisions
- Why recruitment starts before the vacancy even exists
- Real-world examples from practices at different stages of growth.
Whether you're a practice owner recruiting for the first time or a practice manager navigating a complex team, this episode offers practical guidance on finding and keeping the right people.
Complaints management
Joining Anna-Maria is Annabel Herron, a registered nurse and highly experienced risk adviser with Avant's Member Advisory Services.
They look at data about complaints in Australian practices and real-life scenarios you can probably relate to. They also provide some ideas to take away and consider implementing in your practice.
Risk and incident management
Risk and incident management has become an increasingly important part of a practice manager's role, not only from a compliance perspective, but also to drive quality improvements.
Joining Anna-Maria is Angela Mason-Lynch, a risk adviser with Avant's Member Advisory Services. Angela has extensive experience in practice management and was an accreditation surveyor.
Marketing for healthcare practices
Anna-Maria is joined by Karen Castle, Risk Adviser at Avant, to explore how healthcare practices can market their services effectively while staying compliant.
They explore key healthcare regulations and advertising guidelines, discuss real-life examples of marketing in practice and share practical tips that may be helpful in your practice.
Managing staff performance
Anna-Maria is joined by Savanna Russo, Senior Associate of Employment and Workplace Law at Avant Law*, to explore the legislation, regulations and processes that are essential for managing staff performance in Australian healthcare practices.
They discuss the difference between employee performance and conduct, how to effectively manage both within the scope of legal frameworks, as well as real-life scenarios and practical tips you can consider implementing in your practice.
AI and healthcare: Unlocking the benefits, managing the risks
Anna-Maria is joined by Dr Amandeep Hansra, GP and Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine) at the Australian Digital Health Agency, to explore how practitioners and practices can approach AI with confidence and care.
Together, they discuss:
- What to consider when choosing AI tools
- How the Therapeutic Goods Administration regulates medical AI tools
- Dr Hansra’s insights on AI scribes, balancing the benefits with important learnings
- Protecting patient privacy and gaining patient consent
- Practical first steps for practitioners and practices considering adopting AI.
Sourcing the right finance for your practice
In this episode, Anna-Maria Gibb is joined by John Tassopoulos, General Manager of Commercial Lending at Avant Finance, to explore how medical practitioners can make smarter finance decisions throughout their careers.
Together, they discuss:
- Why doctors have unique financial profiles and income streams
- The importance of building your financial ecosystem (lender, accountant, lawyer)
- Real-world examples: buying into a practice, purchasing premises and vehicle finance
- Key dos and don'ts when sourcing finance for your practice.
Know your gaps: Building a stronger, more sustainable practice
In this episode, Anna-Maria Gibb is joined by Rebecca Roth, Senior Practice Advisor at Avant’s Practice Advisory,** to explore how practice owners and managers can take an honest look at their operations and turn insight into action.
They explore:
- Why the right systems, advisors and support network make all the difference
- How a gap analysis surfaces blind spots you can't always see from the inside
- Real-world case studies in staffing, governance and filling critical roles
- Feasibility studies for new or expanding practices.
What happens if you can’t work? Insurance for medical practitioners explained
In this episode, Anna-Maria Gibb is joined by Janelle Brady and Michael Osbourne, financial advisers at Avant Life Insurance***, to unpack the types of cover every practitioner and practice owner should understand.
They discuss:
- The four types of life insurance that can be tailored to personal and business needs
- Common misconceptions, including why super cover alone may not be enough
- How income protection can pay when you can still work some of the time
- Real-world claims stories: a specialist limited by a hand condition, a young doctor who suffered a stroke, and a family supported through terminal illness
- How Avant Life Insurance advisers work with you from start to claim.
Your practice needs supported, in one place
The Avant Practice Solutions team is here for you. One call can connect you to the right people, the right solutions and the right answers for your practice.
Contact us on 1800 010 236 for an obligation-free conversation to discuss your practice’s needs.
*Legal services are provided by Avant Law Pty Ltd (ACN 136 429 153) (Avant Law). Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal practitioners employed by Avant Law are members of the scheme.
** Rebecca Roth was employed by Avant’s Practice Advisory at the time of recording but has since left the business
***Avant Life Insurance is a registered business name of Doctors Financial Services Pty Limited (ACN 610 510 328, AFSL 487758).
The information in this podcast does not constitute legal, financial or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. It is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest and it is not intended to be comprehensive. Persons implementing any recommendations contained in this podcast must exercise their own independent skill or judgment and seek appropriate professional advice relevant to their own particular circumstances. Compliance with any recommendations will not in any way guarantee discharge of the duty of care owed to patients and others coming into contact with the health professional or practice. Avant Practice Solutions and its related entities are not responsible to any person for any loss suffered in connection with the use of this information. Information is only current at the date initially published. © Avant Mutual Group Limited 2026.