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Faces of AMA: Dr Kevin Macdonald
Dr Macdonald retired in 2004. Here he looks back on an active career in occupational and environmental medicine, in a profile published in the May 2011 edition of the vicdoc magazine.
"Why are you a member of AMA?
Retiring from active medical practice does not mean retiring from an interest in all things medical. Maintaining a connection with the profession through the AMA provides the most complete overview of the diverse aspects and complexities of contemporary medical practice. The AMA’s Retired Doctors Special Interest Group organises functions with very interesting speakers and is a great way to mingle with retired colleagues from a diverse craft background.”
What led you to study medicine?
I developed a talent for science and maths in mid-secondary school and discovered some medical books in the municipal library that tweaked my interest. Our family GPs were terrific role models (Red Wright-Smith and Kevin Green are sadly no longer with us. Red and Geoff Bishop delivered our first child). So I really set myself to do Medicine, with Dentistry as the default.
When did you study medicine, and how would you describe the experience?
Monash was nearby, so I entered in 1963, the third intake of the new Faculty. Monash was a terrific place to study, a precocious child in many ways. Our faculty leaders were outstanding professionals and teachers: Rod Andrew, the founding Dean, Schofield, Nairn, Dudley, Hudson, Carl Wood, to name a few. They were demanding but fair. The clinical schools at Alfred and Prince Henry’s were first class and the generosity of the medical staff who taught us left an indelible impression on me. I graduated in 1969, with an honours BMed Sc (Pathology) along the way.
What did you find to be the biggest challenge about being a doctor?
I was fortunate to be invited to join General Motors Holden in the mid 1970s where I was lucky to be mentored by one of Australia’s pioneering and progressive Occupational Physicians, Dr William (Bill) Cooper, until his retirement in 1981. I stayed there until my retirement in 2004. We looked after a workforce of over 10,000 people, often 3 shifts, 7 days a week, in two states, along with expatriate families in Europe, Asia and the USA and those on assignment in Australia.
The automotive industry is an excellent home for an occupational physician, a fascinating but complex mix of high and low technology, both labour and capital intensive, management and unions, complicated federal and state laws, and the overarching standards of a huge multinational corporation. Due to the myriad of health problems in the industry, the multi-skilling of the medical staff was a constant challenge, as was the fact of being under the scrutiny of so many people and getting dragged into health related conflicts between unions and management (highly charged).
Offsetting the stresses was the chance to travel to the USA, Europe and Asia visiting other automotive companies (Ford, BMW, Opel, Mercedes), reviewing programs, networking and on conferences. I was fortunate to meet many fine occupational doctors both at home and overseas.
I developed a talent for science and maths in mid-secondary school and discovered some medical books in the municipal library that tweaked my interest. Our family GPs were terrific role models (Red Wright-Smith and Kevin Green are sadly no longer with us. Red and Geoff Bishop delivered our first child). So I really set myself to do Medicine, with Dentistry as the default.
When did you study medicine, and how would you describe the experience?
Monash was nearby, so I entered in 1963, the third intake of the new Faculty. Monash was a terrific place to study, a precocious child in many ways. Our faculty leaders were outstanding professionals and teachers: Rod Andrew, the founding Dean, Schofield, Nairn, Dudley, Hudson, Carl Wood, to name a few. They were demanding but fair. The clinical schools at Alfred and Prince Henry’s were first class and the generosity of the medical staff who taught us left an indelible impression on me. I graduated in 1969, with an honours BMed Sc (Pathology) along the way.
What did you find to be the biggest challenge about being a doctor?
I was fortunate to be invited to join General Motors Holden in the mid 1970s where I was lucky to be mentored by one of Australia’s pioneering and progressive Occupational Physicians, Dr William (Bill) Cooper, until his retirement in 1981. I stayed there until my retirement in 2004. We looked after a workforce of over 10,000 people, often 3 shifts, 7 days a week, in two states, along with expatriate families in Europe, Asia and the USA and those on assignment in Australia.
The automotive industry is an excellent home for an occupational physician, a fascinating but complex mix of high and low technology, both labour and capital intensive, management and unions, complicated federal and state laws, and the overarching standards of a huge multinational corporation. Due to the myriad of health problems in the industry, the multi-skilling of the medical staff was a constant challenge, as was the fact of being under the scrutiny of so many people and getting dragged into health related conflicts between unions and management (highly charged).
Offsetting the stresses was the chance to travel to the USA, Europe and Asia visiting other automotive companies (Ford, BMW, Opel, Mercedes), reviewing programs, networking and on conferences. I was fortunate to meet many fine occupational doctors both at home and overseas.
What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
With my partner in Adelaide, Dr Allan Wilson, we introduced many innovative health preventive and screening programs, for example, diabetes, BP, lung function and developed emergency responses (including defibrillators in 1984) for acute serious illness and injury which is to be expected in such a large workplace. We targeted (and reduced) the high musculoskeletal injury workload by implementing ergonomics and physiotherapy. Workforce exposure to environmental contaminants (eg. silica, asbestos, chemicals, noise, carbon monoxide, isocyanates) was a major problem and we introduced Industrial Hygiene to monitor, control and authorise chemical and physical hazards, backed up by health screening specific to the hazard.
Travel medicine also became huge along with the care of expatriate families, a fascinating area of practice. All of these specialities resided within the medical service.
Finally, it was an honour to become a Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational and Environment Medicine, acting on the examination panels setting practical questions and displays, becoming an Honorary Senior Lecturer in my Alma Mater in the Centre for Occupational and Environment Health (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine). Teaching and interacting with undergraduate and postgraduate students was a privilege.
Is there anything you regret about your career as a doctor?
Workplace deaths are an enormous tragedy. I was involved in three contractor deaths, an electrocution and two crushed by machinery, all preventable. I still remember each emergency call out and the circumstances.
What do you see as the biggest challenges for the medical profession now and into the future?
Funding and adequate facilities for high quality health services, access to and the role of general practitioners (metro and country), the increasing complexity of the regulatory environment (Commonwealth and State), appropriate aged care and vast improvement in indigenous health.
What are you enjoying most about retiring from practice?
We are enjoying the freedom of less structure, yet lead a busy lifestyle with many interests. Old friends are very important but we also enjoy the new friends we have made since retiring. It is important not to fall into a medical vacuum when one retires and this sense of “still belonging”, for me, is served admirably by the Victorian AMA Retired Doctors Special Interest Group and the AMA publications are an essential source of information, reflecting the raft of issues affecting the profession locally and nationally.
What is your biggest fear in life?
None!
What are the most important things to you in life?
Family and friends, good health and I am blessed to have a tolerant and very clever spouse!
Family and friends, good health and I am blessed to have a tolerant and very clever spouse!
What is your ideal holiday destination?
I would travel anywhere in the UK, especially the Cotswolds, Scotland and Cambridge. In Australia, snorkelling among the reef fish and corals in the Great Barrier Reef is magic.
I would travel anywhere in the UK, especially the Cotswolds, Scotland and Cambridge. In Australia, snorkelling among the reef fish and corals in the Great Barrier Reef is magic.
How do you unwind after a particularly gruelling day?
Don’t have gruelling days any more!
Name a book, film or a musician that has inspired you.
I am interested in reading about the great scientists, Newton, Harvey, Darwin, Einstein, the Leakey family, the major discoveries at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge (J.J. Thomson, Rutherford, Watson and Crick), A Short History of Time by Hawking and anything by Paul Davies for his erudite expositions on the big questions.
Don’t have gruelling days any more!
Name a book, film or a musician that has inspired you.
I am interested in reading about the great scientists, Newton, Harvey, Darwin, Einstein, the Leakey family, the major discoveries at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge (J.J. Thomson, Rutherford, Watson and Crick), A Short History of Time by Hawking and anything by Paul Davies for his erudite expositions on the big questions.
Name three people in public life (living or dead) who inspire you.
JFK and Churchill, for their leadership.
What are your hopes for the next decade – in medicine and/or generally?
Our hope is for tolerance and respect for all people, and above all, a peaceful world.
If I hadn’t become a doctor, I would have been....A dentist?
What advice might you give to young doctors just starting out?
Life is about growth and transitions, none more so than the journey from student to doctor-in-training and then finally to a professional career, providing essential services to the community. Look out for the opportunities, which may be unexpected, and when you find your niche a lifetime of learning and achievement awaits. Enjoy the journey!
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