Latest News
DHQ Celebrates 31 Years
Doctors’ Health in Queensland’s service arm board chair Ross Phillipson led the charge in acknowledging the honourable work the organisation has done for the medical community since it first began operations more than 31 years ago. Along with formally announcing the...
DHQ in the News!
Listen to our DHQ radio segment that aired on Friday PM on ABC NQ Radio Drive - our piece is at 2:06:35 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/northqld/programs/north-qld-drive/drive/12561362 The online story is...
Research on Doctors’ Mental Health
Written by Dr Ross Phillipson Research has shown that the majority of doctors generally enjoy good physical health. However, there has been concern expressed over many years that the mental health of doctors is not as high as it should be. Sadly, the suicide rate...
Queensland’s bespoke support service for doctors and medical students is pleased to announce a new name to better reflect the support we’ve been providing to doctors and medical students in Queensland for over 30 years. Formerly your local doctors’ health advisory service (DHAS(Q) & QDHP) we will be now known together as “Doctors’ Health in Queensland” (DHQ).
Callers to our help-line will always speak to a senior GP or specialised counsellor who has had training and is experienced in supporting doctor and medical student colleagues with a wider range of general health and stress-related problems. Doctors’ Health in Qld’s...
***Big news!***
The Queensland Doctors' Health Programme is now Doctors' Health Queensland! Our helpline number is the same (07 3833 4352).
Its our 4th Birthday on the 1st June!
QDHP is celebrating 4 years this Monday 4th of June 2020. We have some exciting changes coming soon. We would like to thank all the wonderful people who have helped QDHP grow and have been involved in doctors' health in Queensland.
2020 Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day 5th June
Join colleagues, friends and health professionals Australia wide to kick off the 2020 CrazySocks4Docs Day with a not-to-be-missed virtual event hosted by Dr Sally Cockburn – family doctor, health advocate, media presenter and writer.Don your craziest socks...
A polite reminder:
We have recently been receiving a number of calls from concerned members of the public looking for guidance on the coronavirus. For information on the coronavirus please call the Department of Health's dedicated Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080....
What to expect when you call the QDHP Helpline:
When you call the Helpline, an agent at our paging service will answer your call. They will ask you for *a* name and contact number on which our on-call GP or counsellor can reach you. The confidential helpline is staffed by trained senior General Practitioners and...
October 10th was World Mental Health Day.
The following podcasts feature doctors talking about their own experiences with mental ill health. They speak out to inspire us all to #SeeBeyondTheStigma. In this Lifeline "Holding on to Hope" podcast, Dr Kieran Allen, himself a psychiatry registrar, speaks openly...
Check out the fantastic video by James Kable of The Hype Project of our art exhibition opening night event! Great memories.
https://vimeo.com/thehypeproject/review/365459220/16c123c19a
Reflections on the Creative Careers in Medicine Conference by the Queensland Doctors’ Health Programme’s Education Officer and Counsellor Vicky Dawes.
As a former doctor who now works in doctors’ health, I often walk away from medical conferences feeling slightly inadequate. My inner critic pops up saying “you could never do that”, “those speakers were all so much more intelligent/resilient/creative/hard-working...
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Upcoming free webinar series from The Alfred
"The three themed sessions will highlight the criticality of compassion to the provision of high-quality care and clinician well-being, and consider how the notion informs practice at both the local level and the health and social policy level."
Register here: emergencyeducation.org.au/program/compassion-is-care/
Compassion is Care | Free webinar series for healthcare workers | Alfred Emergency Education
emergencyeducation.org.au
The Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists, invites all medical professionals to join international doctors' health expert Dr Michael Myers for a free webinar: Physician wellness in the era of COVID-19.
Time: 8:00am (AEST)
Date: 30th September 2020
Online, via Zoom
Register here: ranzcp-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4gCdUhmKR_6XImdfzdHHUQ
In medicine it can be hard to identify when a colleague is going through a tough time. Work can be busy and stressful with colleagues that we don’t have much time to get to know. When we are experiencing the same stressors and difficulties ourselves it can be hard to recognise the impact on our colleagues and peers but also crucially on our own wellbeing.
There’s not a lanyard badge that says “Having a tough day. Please be kind and ask me how I am.” That lanyard badge might in fact look like unfriendliness or irritability, it might be being late to work or trying to juggling exam study, clinical work and home life. Think about what your colleagues are saying, what they are doing and what is going on in their life. Take a moment to reflect on your own words, behaviours and life challenges too.
Asking someone “R U OK?” doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. R U OK? is in small moments of compassionate connection that every one of us can do no matter who we are, where we are working or who we are asking. A kind word, an gentle enquiry, a moment of connection. Sometimes the smallest interventions can have the biggest impact.
At Doctors' Health in Queensland we get calls to our confidential helpline from doctors and medical students at every stage of their careers, from the greenest medical student to the most senior consultant. We get calls relating to physical and mental health problems, clinical situations, errors and complaints, personal challenges, stress, burnout, and bullying.
No matter what challenge they are facing, every one of our callers is looking for connection, support and validation that they are not alone. Often we are the first person they have spoken to about the difficulties they are facing. There is nothing to distinguish these doctors from yourselves. Our callers are your colleagues, your friends, your seniors and juniors, they are just like you, they are you.
You can ask R U OK?
It’s ok to say you’re not.
A huge thank you to medical student Hanh from Cedar Nest Productions and her friends for making this amazing video for us.
R U OK Day
youtu.be
CEDAR NEST PRODUCTIONS presents a SHORT FILM HEY, R U OK? Lead Cast Sarah RIKKI PRIEST Jared ANDY SINCLAIR Sarah’s colleague KATIE NICOLE ICU consultant DERE...Dr Mya Cubitt, Emergency Consultant and Chair of the Victorian Faculty Board of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, penned this powerful ABC News piece, describing the complex range of emotions she experienced after testing positive for COVID-19.
I'm an emergency doctor, but when I caught coronavirus, I found new insights into this pandemic
www.abc.net.au
As an emergency physician I know illness is the great leveller. When I found myself alone in a room, quarantining with COVID-19, I understood that although loneliness isn't a symptom of this virus it ...Don't forget, Thursday 10th September is R U OK Day.
What are you doing in your workplace?
The Beyond Blue National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students found that one-quarter of doctors reported having thoughts of taking their own life prior to the last 12 months, and 10.4% reported having these thoughts within the last 12 months. Approximately 2% of doctors reported having ever attempted suicide.
R U OK? This conversation could change a life.
If you need to speak to someone now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
If you are a doctor or medical student looking for (non-crisis) support you can find details of your local state or territory doctors' health advisory service in the comments 👇
A conversation could change a life | R U OK?
www.ruok.org.au
R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity in Australia, reminding people that having meaningful conversations with loved ones, friends and colleagues could change lives.Are you looking for evidence-based ways to enhance your wellbeing?
Why not try these techniques aimed at health practitioners from the Black Dog Institute:
🔹 Increased physical activity
🔹 Gratitude journalling
🔹 Mood monitoring
🔹 Structured problem solving
🔹 Mindfulness
Working Towards Wellbeing Video Series - Black Dog Institute
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Video series designed to assist health practitioners enhance mental wellbeing and resilience for both themselves and their clients.Are you a Queensland based GP or GP registrar? Join us for DHQ Connect - GP Hub!
We know it can be challenging to stay connected as a GP, especially in the current climate. DHQ Connect - GP Hub is your chance to talk about work, home and everything in-between. GP Hub provides a safe online forum for you to connect to your peers in a supportive small group environment.
Next session is 7.30pm 28th August!
Register by emailing us at admin@dhq.org.au
A sneak peak behind the scenes at Doctors' Health in Queensland!
Here we see our Medical Director, Dr Margaret Kay in the office with our Counsellor and Education Officer Vicky Dawes' dog.
Covid has meant we have had to become flexible with our working arrangements, much like many doctors around Australia. So it's great to have these moments back in the office!
As of 23 August, Victoria had 2,692 cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) in healthcare workers. Of those 2,450 were diagnosed in July and August.
In the second wave of Covid-19 cases, it has been found that at least 69 per cent of all healthcare worker cases have been or were likely to have been workplace acquired, with a number remaining under investigation. (covidlive.com.au/docs/protecting-our-healthcare-workers.pdf)
The recent number of Covid-19 cases in South East Queensland has rightly drawn attention to the safety of our own healthcare workers. We need to ensure they are adequately supported, not just with regards to PPE but also with respect to their psychological and physical wellbeing.
Queensland doctors and medical students, look after each other, take care of yourselves and seek help when you need to. Doctors' Health in Queensland stands with you and is here to support you. QLD doctors supporting QLD doctors.
dhq.org.au/dhasq-qdhp-short-videos/
DHASQ/QDHP Short Videos | Doctors' Health Advisory Service (Qld)
dhq.org.au
SHORT VIDEOS Overcoming challenges of COVID-19: Australian doctors share their stories Acknowledging our successes during COVID-19: Australian doctors share their stories Overcoming challenges of COVI...Timeline PhotosONLY 17 TICKETS LEFT! Get yours now so you don't miss out. We are raising funds for Doctor's Health QLD . Buy your ticket here -> buff.ly/2EkI8y6
Our free, confidential helpline provides support to all doctors and medical students across Queensland.
You can call us 24/7 on 07 3833 4352.
www.abc.net.au
Despite the lower number of COVID-19 cases in Queensland compared with other states, health workers say stress and anxiety is apparent among doctors of all levels and other frontline staff working thr...Continuing on our theme of civility, why not try this quick assessment of your own behaviour?
www.christineporath.com/assess-yourself/
Christine Porath is author of Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace.
As always, the Doctors' Health in Queensland helpline is available 24/7 on 07 3833 4352 if you would like to speak to someone in confidence about issues of incivility in the workplace, or any other difficulties you may be facing.
If you would like Doctors' Health in Queensland to come to your workplace to facilitate an education or outreach session, get in contact via admin@dhq.org.au
Have you experienced or witnessed rudeness at work?
Watch this TEDx talk by Emergency Consultant and founder of Civility Saves Lives Dr Chris Turner.
When someone is rude at work:
🔹 38% of recipients reduce the quality of their work
🔹 48% reduce their time at work
🔹 25% take it our on service users
Rudeness affects witnesses too:
🔹 20% experience a decrease in performance
🔹 50% have a decrease in willingness to help others
"For competent teams, the single most important factor determining the outcome of that team is how we treat each other"
For more information go to: www.civilitysaveslives.com/
If you are a QLD-based doctor or medical student and have experienced or witnessed bullying at work and would like to speak to someone, call Doctors' Health in Queensland 24/7 on 07 3833 4352.
If you would like to explore how to tackle this problem in your own workplace, contact us at admin@dhq.org.au
When rudeness in teams turns deadly | Chris Turner | TEDxExeter
youtu.be
How we treat each other at work has an enormous impact on how teams perform – with potentially fatal consequences if you work in healthcare. Chris Turner rev...🔹🔹🔹COVID-19 and PPE🔹🔹🔹
Doctors and all health care workers need access to PPE when caring for patients with COVID and at risk of COVID during this pandemic.
Doctors' Health in Queensland have been championing the health and wellbeing of doctors for decades, recognising the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. Recent concerns being raised about poor access to PPE for doctors and other health workers on the frontline are deeply concerning.
Poor access to PPE causes both physical health risks and psychological distress. When doctors are not provided with the equipment that they require for their personal safety, they cannot deliver care to their patients safely. Increasing infections in doctors and other health workers has a serious impact on the health workforce - increasing the risk of fatigue and burnout in the workforce left behind. Returning to work is more complex that simply waiting for the infectious period to pass. The doctor needs to be well enough to return to work.
Access to appropriate, fit-for-purpose PPE is essential to maintaining an adequately manned workforce within both the hospital and community health care settings.
Doctors' Health in Queensland strongly supports calls to ensure that access to PPE remains a top priority across Australia in all health care settings.
www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/current-guidelines-respiratory-protection-australian-health-care-work...
www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/fit-testing-n95p2-masks-protect-health-care-workers
AMA Queensland Victorian Doctors Health Program Doctors' Health SA - DHSA Doctors' Health Advisory Service NSW & ACT Doctors' Health Advisory Service Western Australia Tasmanian Doctors Health Program AMA Council of Doctors in Training - AMA CDT AMSA: Australian Medical Students' Association 7NEWS Brisbane ABC Brisbane The Medical Journal of Australia
www.mja.com.au
Current guidelines for respiratory protection of Australian health care workers against COVID-19 are not adequate and national reporting of health worker infections is requiredAn important reminder from Beyond Blue.
We may be doing ok in Queensland for the moment but we remain on alert.
Do you feel there is an expectation for our healthcare workers to be superhuman?
Managing expectations as a healthcare worker - Beyond Blue
coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au
Dealing with COVID-19 on the frontline as a healthcare professional means it’s more important than ever to look after your mental health and wellbeing.Looking to learn more about mandatory reporting for Health Professionals?
Check out this podcast series from the QLD Integrity Commissioner and partners (HEAL (Health, Ethics and Law) Avant Mutual Doctors' Health in Queensland and The Office of the Health Ombudsman)
Integrity Commissioner: Publications - Queensland Integrity in Health
www.integrity.qld.gov.au
Each year the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, together with its supporting partners—Health Ethics and Law Queensland, among others—arranges an Integrity in Health Series.Looking for information on burnout?
Check out this resource from the RANZCP Your Health in Mind
www.ranzcp.org/files/temp-folder/burnout-and-compassion-fatigue.aspx
For more doctors' health resources go to our website: www.dhq.org.au/
Are you a GP looking to upskill in telemedicine?
Check out this two day online GP telemedicine training course.
The program is clinically orientated and is an approved RACGP accredited activity with 40 CPD points.
With thanks to our friends at Creative Careers in Medicine.
GP TELEMEDICINE TRAINING 1st - 2nd AUGUST 2020
telemedtraining.com.au
GP Telemedicine Training provides a detailed, comprehensive, interactive two-day training program, delivered by experienced & trained telemedicine practitionerVale Dr Harry Nespolon, GP and President of the RACGP.
Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and patients from all of us at Doctors' Health in Queensland.
newsGP - Dr Harry Nespolon has died
bit.ly
The RACGP President has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.Doctors' Health in Queensland featured in the Brisbane Times.
QLD doctors and medical students, we are here for you.
'They are red-lining the engine': COVID's dangerous toll on young doctors
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
Psychiatrist says calls for help from Queensland’s junior doctors showing signs of burnout have spiked as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.Check out Doctors' Health in Queensland Board Member and Psychiatrist Dr Jon-Paul Khoo speaking live with Kelly Higgins-Devine about doctors' health this afternoon at 4.30pm!
www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/drive/
www.abc.net.au
Find out what's been going on in your city today. Each day you'll hear Brisbane's best mix of news, sport, music and entertainment. Listen in and become the thought leader at your dinner table tonight...🔹Australian Mental Health Prize nominations are now open!🔹
Do you know someone who has made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health, or the prevention/treatment of mental illness – in areas such as advocacy, research or service provision?
Nominations are open now until 30th August.
For more information and to nominate go to: www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au/
Australian Mental Health Prize - UNSW Sydney
www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au
What is the Australian Mental Health Prize? The Australian Mental Health Prize was established in 2016 by UNSW Medicine through its School of Psychiatry, Australia’s pre-eminent psychiatric research..."The anxiety among my colleagues and all the patients I see is palpable. I have no doubt that in 28 years as a doctor this is the most stressful period I have encountered."
Emergency consultant Dr Stephen Parnis writes in the Guardian Australia about his experience being on the front line of the current Covid-19 wave in Melbourne.
AMA Victoria MIGA
In 28 years as an Australian emergency doctor, this is the most stressful period | Stephen Parnis
bit.ly
We dodged a bullet in March and April but any sense of relief has been wiped away in the last couple of weeksRead the new Australian Medical Association Position Statement on the Health and Wellbeing of Doctors and Medical Students here: ama.com.au/position-statement/health-and-wellbeing-doctors-and-medical-students-2020
An important reminder - you do not need to be an AMA member to access your local state/territory Doctors' Health Advisory Service. All QLD based doctors and medical students can call Doctors' Health in Queensland 24/7 for support on 07 3833 4352.
The Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) is hosting a zoom panel discussion to "explore and share how art can be used to promote different ways of knowing and seeing in healthcare."
"The session will commence with a brief outline of health humanities, including how art can be used to foster empathy and reflection in ourselves and our students. The panel will share insights from producing their creative art works, including a vision for diversity and inclusivity, to challenge the status quo, to bridge clinical and human experiences, to enrich understandings of everyday clinical practice and connect and build community."
Thanks to our friends at Creative Careers in Medicine for sharing this event!
The event is free and open to all.
Did you know Doctors' Health in Queensland isn't just a 24/7 helpline? We can also provide expert speakers (online or in person) on a range of doctors' health issues.
Contact us today at admin@qdhp.org.au to find out more!
Is raising patient awareness of doctors' health matters a key ingredient in reforming and improving the health and wellbeing of the medical community?
Drs Erian, Erian, Tanios and McClaren writing in The Medical Journal of Australia InSight+ contend that they play a crucial role.
What do you think?
Engaging patients in doctors’ mental health
insightplus.mja.com.au
IN June 2020, we welcomed another successful iteration of the CrazySocks4Docs initiative, which sheds lightYou may remember Mind Body Miko the former plastic surgery registrar from her blog post "The ugly side of becoming a surgeon" but we bet you didn't know that she was a fantastic artist too. Check out her medical themed art!
Ramen styled lumbar plexus nerves on a poster? Don't mind if we do?!
Burnout. Compassion fatigue. Vicarious trauma.
🔹Do you know the difference?
🔹Would you be able to identify the signs in yourself or a colleague?
🔹What can you do about it?
Check out this great resource from Karen Gaunson, Kym Jenkins, Margie Stuchbery & Brett McDermott: bit.ly/2NPaf9B
For more great resources go to our website: www.dhq.org.au/
Did you know Doctors' Health in Queensland is a not for profit registered charity?
You can donate to help us in our work to support the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students across Queensland.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Support us today! dhq.org.au/donate/