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 on-call GPs and counsellors are local and have a strong understanding of the Queensland environment and stressors and have networks and linkages to help you get the care you need, for a whole range of issues and circumstances. For example; callers often call about workplace and study stress, personal difficulties, bullying and harassment, debrief following clinical incidents, medical errors and complaints or for help finding an appropriate GP, specialist, psychologist or psychiatrist in their area.
Our expert helpline is entirely confidential, free and independent and our fantastic volunteer GPs (who have a special sense of medical collegiality) offer this service 24/7 in case of urgent matters requiring out-of-hours guidance for doctors’ and medical students needing our help. Whilst employers and colleges may offer employee assistance services as a source of support, we know doctors often won’t access these services, preferring the anonymity in addition to confidentiality provisions that our helpline has and continues to provide.
We cannot and do not provide an emergency service however, 000 is still required for emergencies, and urgent crisis support should be directed to Lifeline 13 114 or Beyondblue 1300 22 4636.
Doctors’ Health in Qld (DHQ) also run regular education sessions, for universities and workplaces and as the experts in Doctors’ Health we also publish and assist researchers in their endeavours to ensure health access for doctors, always recognising the unique stressors and challenges that come with being a doctor, both professional and personal.
We strongly advocate for every doctor to have their own GP and our networks can help if you are having trouble accessing care, especially in these uncertain pandemic times.
For more about Doctors’ Health in Qld, our helpline, services and history, please visit us at www.dhq.org.au
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Doctors’ Health in Qld acknowledges the new EAP modelled telehealth service launched nationally by DrHS, with a national phone number answered by EAP provider, Converge International. DrHS is the national body that distributes funds for state-based doctors’ health services. Similar employee assistance programs (EAPs) are generally available in most workplaces, universities and specialty training colleges. This means doctors and medical students in Queensland who are seeking mental health assistance/support will now have an extra option, supplementing our existing locally-based bespoke service. Doctors’ Health in Queensland remains dedicated to working towards your health and wellbeing.
To find out more about Doctors’ Health in Qld, our helpline, services and our history, find us at www.dhq.org.au
You can also find out more about the new EAP offering here from www.drs4drs.com.au
