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Looking after yourself and your patients
With doctors’ health more important than ever, the upcoming GP19 conference offers GPs the chance to examine their own wellbeing.
When the WHO recognised burnout as a medical condition earlier this year, it likely just confirmed what most health practitioners already know.
‘Being a GP is a bloody tough gig. It’s the hardest job in medicine.’
That is leader of the Australian Greens, Richard Di Natale, speaking at the recent launch of the RACGP’s 2019 General Practice: Health of the Nation report, which focused on GP wellbeing.
As a former GP himself, Senator Di Natale knows what he is talking about.
‘You’re involved in some of the most intimate moments in people’s lives. Telling someone who’s been trying to conceive a child for the first time that they’re pregnant or, alternatively, that they’re not pregnant after years and years of struggle. The death of a parent or a loved one, the death of a child.
‘And this is a heavy burden that all of you have to endure each and every day.’
GPs know they have a tough job. When the World Health Organization (WHO) recognised burnout as a medical condition earlier this year, it likely just confirmed what most health practitioners already know.
But what doctors don’t always know, however, is what to do about looking after themselves when the job takes its often-heavy toll.
This year’s General Practice: Health of the Nation found GPs are avoiding or delaying seeking their own healthcare for a range of issues, from being uncomfortable receiving care from other GPs to concerns about being reported to regulatory bodies.
Whatever the reason for not seeking care, most GPs would agree more needs to be done to ensure their wellbeing.
GP19’s GP wellbeing: Looking after myself and looking after my patients will be held on Wednesday 23 October. This interactive active learning module (ALM) is designed to allow participants to explore evidence-based strategies to optimise their own wellbeing. The workshop will have a grounding in mindfulness techniques and a focus of compassion to self, others and patients.
Presenters include:
- Dr Ashlea Broomfield – a GP with a special interest in doctor wellbeing
- Dr Michael de Manincor – post-doctoral research fellow in mind–body lifestyle therapies and integrative medicine at NICM Health Research Institute
- Dr Carolyn Ee – Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Integrative Medicine network
The full GP19 program is available on the
conference website.
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