I want to offer support
Promoting health and wellbeing – whether in yourself and with a colleague or friend – is a skill that requires active and mindful attention. Helping a colleague or trainee may require you to gently and purposefully intervene when necessary.
Those at highest risk
Medical professionals are at a higher risk of mental health issues than other professionals. Within this group, the most vulnerable are:
- trainees
- female doctors
- rural and remote doctors
- indigenous doctors
- oversees doctors seeking local registration
- doctors involved in medico-legal proceedings
See the warning signs
High-functioning individuals are often very good at concealing high levels of distress. These are warning signs you may see in yourself or others:
- feeling the need to put on a brave face
- struggling at work, or feeling overwhelmed
- poor concentration
- inability to make decisions
- disappearing while on shift
- increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- poor attention to physical appearance
- loss of energy
- low moods, increased anxiety or irritability
- withdrawing or feeling isolated
- sleeping too much or too little
- colleagues raising concerns
Five steps to help a colleague or friend
The old saying that 'the doctor who treats himself has a fool for a physician' is very true according to Dr Jill Gordon, an experienced medical psychotherapist and educator.
In a Pomegranate Health podcast, Dr Gordon offered these 5 tips to get a more positive outcome supporting a colleague:
- Don't ignore the situation — approach the person and the problem and ask if you can help
- Listen non-judgementally to what they say
- Give emotional support and any information you think might help
- Encourage them to seek professional help
- Encourage other forms of support
Listen to the full episode
Dr Jill Gordon, Dr Roger Sexton, and Dr Edwin Whiteside discuss why doctors may experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, and common fears around mandatory reporting.
Connect with a struggling colleague
Talking to a colleague about self-care can be challenging. Here are some conversation examples and ideas to help you have that difficult conversation with a colleague in need.
| Approach |
Example |
| Before the person has agreed to the support conversation |
First contact
Approach the person in a relaxed and private space. |
'Every clinician I know has been in this position at some point in their career, and I have, too…. We've found that most of us appreciate talking to a person because it's hard for other people to know how this feels.' |
| Once the person has agreed to the support conversation |
Invitation/opening
Provide an opportunity for the person to talk openly. |
'How are you going?' |
Active listening
|
'You mentioned your wife was missing her family back home, tell me more about that.'
|
Reflecting
Validate and normalise the person's emotions. |
'It can be really tough managing work and home at the best of times, let alone when you relocate and don't have the usual supports around you. It takes time to adjust to a new setting. The fact you and your wife can communicate openly with each other about how you feel is great. Everyone reacts differently to change, so I can't give you any advice, but I know how challenging it can be.' |
Reframing
Give perspective. |
'The fact you're stressed and worried about how your wife and kids are coping shows how much you care. If you didn't love your family so much, there would be no challenge.' |
Sense-making
Encourage the person to make positive changes.
|
'It's great you're conscious of the stress and fatigue you've been feeling. In many cases, people are unaware and unable to help themselves before the problem escalates.'
|
Coping
Discuss coping strategies, support networks and the importance of self-care. |
'It's really important you make self-care a priority. What have you done in the past that's helped you through difficult times?'
|
Closing
|
'I really appreciate you sharing with me. It helps put some of my thoughts in perspective, too. Remember how well you're doing and challenges like these only make you a stronger physician.'
|
Resources/referrals
|
'I'm sure you'll start feeling better soon, but if you're not coping and need some extra support, make sure you reach out. You're not alone. It gets rough sometimes and there are plenty of people who can help you.'
|
Support a trainee
As a supervisor, there are many ways you can support your trainees and improve the workplace in order to reduce their risk of mental health issues.
If you notice signs of distress or are concerned about one of your trainees:
- Meet with your trainee | Assess the immediate risk.
- Talk with them | It's okay to ask about depression, suicidal thoughts, what support they have in place, if there are stressors outside training that they want to disclose and if they have a GP or mental health professional who can help them.
- Address practical issues | If the trainee identifies training conditions contributing to their mental health issues, address practicalities that might alleviate some of the stress, such as rostering or taking leave. Speak with the Junior Medical Officer Manager or Director of Medical Services to find other practical responses that could help.
- Do not diagnose | Seek agreement with the trainee that they'll visit their GP. Be aware of the difference between being a supervisor and a treating doctor.
- Discuss support options | Agree on internal and external support to be provided or accessed.
- Identify support services | Encourage the trainee to access other internal and external support such as mentors, employee assistance programs or other specialist services.
- Document your meeting | Take note of all agreed actions.
- Follow up | Follow up with the trainee in 1 to 2 weeks, or as required.
Other ways to support a trainee
Supervisors play a central role in setting the culture within healthcare settings. Available options that can improve your ability to support a trainee are:
- mMaintain a supportive and collegiate workplace.
- Respond effectively to complaints of bullying or harassment.
- Provide debriefings for critical incidents.
- Provide contact details of at least 2 GPs who are comfortable seeing doctors as patients.
- Take a RACP course:
See the
professional behaviour guidance and
supervisor resources for more information.