About Doctors’ Health in Queensland (DHQ), formerly DHAS(Q)
DHQ is an independent organisation. In June 2016 it established the Queensland Doctors’ Health Programme to act as its service arm.
DHQ is a not-for-profit registered charity supported by a Management Committee of volunteer doctors and community members. The members of the management committee have a keen interest in doctors’ health and generously volunteer their time and expertise to support the activities of the organisation. DHQ is also appreciative of the business support services provided by the Australian Medical Association (Queensland).
DHQ recognises that medical practitioners can find it challenging to accept the patient role and many fail to seek help in a timely manner. Yet doctors experience the same wide range of health-related issues as others in the community, in addition to conditions specifically related to the stressors of practicing medicine. DHQ is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students in Queensland, understanding that a healthy medical workforce benefits the community as a whole.
If you would like to support the work of the DHQ please contact us via the details below or donate via the link at the top of the page.
We would like to thank Dr Christopher Erian and Dr Michael Erian for the development of our new DHQ logo.
Core Vision
Queensland medical practitioners and medical students will be supported to achieve optimal health and wellbeing throughout their careers.
Mission Statement
DHQ aspires to be the leading provider in Queensland of doctors’ health services to medical practitioners and medical students, encompassing advice, support, education and research.
Aims of DHQ
- To promote the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students in Queensland
- To provide a 24 hour confidential helpline for doctors and medical students requiring support and advice
- To deliver education about doctors’ health and being a doctor to a doctor
- To advocate for doctors’ wellbeing
The DHAS(Q) Journey
Several decades ago, a group of doctors decided to develop an organised approach to assisting their colleagues in difficulty. This lead to the formation of the DHAS(Q) under the leadership of Professor Joan Lawrence.
It became apparent to them that doctors often failed to access timely healthcare and treatment despite and sometimes because of working in the medical profession. Doctors frequently continued to work while unwell to their own personal disadvantage. They experienced shame and significant difficulty taking the step to consult their colleagues.
In 1989, their initiative led to the founding of the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service of Queensland, DHAS(Q). In 2020, DHAS(Q) was renamed Doctors’ Health in Queensland (DHQ).
Since then, the DHAS(Q), now known as DHQ, has regularly comforted, supported and relieved the distress of doctors suffering sickness, helplessness, disability and misfortune, while recognising the direct benefit to the community in providing this service.
DHQ works as a charitable organisation in collaboration with the Medical Benevolent Association of Queensland.
During the formative years, the DHAS(Q) worked to establish connections with other doctors’ health services that were emerging in other states and territories across Australia and New Zealand. This informal network was strengthened to become the Australasian Doctors’ Health Network in 2009. Since 1999, the doctors’ health services have been running a doctors’ health conference every two years. As well as providing a strong academic and educational programme for these conferences, many of those working in this field have been contributing to the understandings of physician health by presenting research papers and workshops at international conferences.
DHQ Now
In 2016, DHQ was selected by the Doctors’ Health Services Pty Ltd to receive funding as part of the Medical Board of Australia’s vision to expand doctors’ health services across Australia. These funds were provided to the AMA (Federal) which established a wholly owned subsidiary company, Doctors’ Health Services Pty Ltd, (DrHS) to distribute the funds and ensure the doctors’ health activities were delivered at arms’ length from the funder.
In response, DHQ established its own wholly owned subsidiary company, the Qld Doctors Health Programme (QDHP) to deliver these services on its behalf. Dr Margaret Kay was appointed as the inaugural Medical Director of the QDHP to establish this service.
Contact DHAS(Q)
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT THE HELPLINE
Contact us via email at dhasq@amaq.com.au
Further information regarding DHAS(Q) or DHQ may be obtained by contacting the AMA Business Support Services Coordinator at:
Tel: 07 3872 2256
Fax: 07 3856 4727
Please note this is not the 24/7 Helpline
AMA Queensland
Po Box 123
Red Hill Q 4059
Donate to DHAS(Q) and DHQ
Doctors’ Health Advisory Service (Queensland) Inc. (trading as Doctors’ Health in Queensland) is a registered charity with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). DHAS(Q) has Deductible Gift Recipient status and donations over $2 are tax deductible.
We deeply value your donation which support doctors’ and medical students’ health and wellbeing.
About QDHP
About DHASQ/DHQ
Confidentiality
Help is only a call away
Call 07 3833 4352
For doctors and medical students only – Independent and Confidential advice
THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE
FOR ANY EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 000
Meet the DHQ Committee
Dr Rhys Thomas
President
Dr Rhys Thomas is a psychiatrist currently working in consultation-liaison psychiatry in the public system, and a small amount of private practice. Rhys completed his medical degree at the University of Queensland, where he was also the president of the University of Queensland Medical Society. He has clinical interests in neuropsychiatry, eating disorders, and importantly doctors’ health.
Rhys has been involved with DHQ since 2018 and was elected as President in 2022.
When he isn’t working, he enjoys time with his rescue greyhound Harry.