Doctor to doctor: we understand

Doctor to doctor: We understand

Doctors’ Health NSW has provided confidential support for the medical profession for almost 50 years, but the current stresses facing doctors has made its service more important than ever.

Doctors are generally highly resilient, solutions-focused, caring, and autonomous professionals. This is how we manage the many responsibilities and demands of our training and careers and continue to provide a high standard of care to others, even during difficult times. However, as a result doctors may resist the idea of reaching out for support, even at times when it might make a huge difference. We often try to manage everything on our own, even if we are struggling with issues at work or in our personal lives, are unwell or generally feeling exhausted or overwhelmed. Intent on caring for others, doctors may also neglect aspects of self-care or preventative health measures, sadly sometimes resulting in significant negative impacts on our own health.  

Often, we may not consider the value of support until the need arises, and then don’t necessarily know where to turn. If you were worried about a health issue and it wasn’t getting any better, would you have someone to talk to? Would you confide in a friend, a partner or a close colleague? Better still, would you see your GP like “normal” people do? Do you even have a GP? But perhaps it’s not that simple…

We know that doctors face significant barriers when needing to access healthcare for themselves. As well as significant time constraints, other barriers include concerns about lack of confidentiality, fears about mandatory notification, worry about impact on career, a sense of embarrassment or failure that they are not coping or perhaps not wanting to trouble a colleague. For these reasons, the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service NSW was started by a group of concerned doctors in 1975, aiming to ensure that all doctors can safely access the care and support they need, whenever they need it. Nearly 50 years on, it’s clear this service is needed more than ever.

Now known as Doctors’ Health NSW, our continuing purpose is to make sure doctors and medical students are able to access confidential support from another doctor at any time. Callers to this free service can remain anonymous, to combat any lingering concerns about reaching out. This trusted source of support is independent of regulatory bodies, employers and other professional institutions and is completely confidential. 

The Doctors’ Health NSW phone service is run by experienced, non-judgemental doctors, available anytime to talk to doctors, medical students, or anyone else, such as a colleague or family member, concerned about a medical practitioner. 

Doctors’ Health NSW provides quick access to support from another doctor. The confidential service can be contacted 24/7, every day of every year and callers can expect a call-back from a doctor within four hours of their call. This is not an emergency service however and 000 is still the correct number for individuals needing urgent care. 

Every year, Doctors’ Health NSW receives hundreds of calls from other doctors and medical students covering issues such as burnout and mental health, work-related stress, career concerns, substance abuse, medico-legal issues and complaints, impairment, exam stress, loneliness and relationship problems – nothing is too trivial or too serious. Doctors taking calls on the phone line have many years of experience, with the benefit of additional training in doctors’ health. They understand the complexities and issues specific to the medical profession.

Doctors’ Health NSW also works with organisations within the medical profession to provide educational presentations and workshops for doctors and students, centred on supporting their own health and well-being, as well as training to assist them to look after their colleagues when required.  

Doctors’ Health NSW Medical Director, Dr Kathryn Hutt, encourages everyone to keep the organisation’s contact details handy.

“You never know when you or a colleague might need a doctor to talk to – someone experienced who has time to listen and will understand your concerns, so you can work things out together.” 

Doctors’ Health NSW Board Chair, Dr Ameeta Patel echoes Kathryn’s words. 

“The last few years have seen such an increase in the stress of my colleagues, the need for this service has never been greater and I am very pleased to be involved in the valuable service Doctors’ Health NSW provides.” Call 24/7 (02) 9437 6552 or go to doctorshealth.org.au

Doctors’ Health NSW:

• Advocates for doctors’ health and wellbeing

• Operates a free and confidential 24/7 phone service for callers to speak to a doctor

• Run by experienced GPs and other specialised medical practitioners

• A safe space to talk, independent of all regulatory and professional institutions 

• Connected with a network of doctors, specialists, and other services