Healthy places, bodies, minds and culture

Facilitated by Julie McCrossin AM, journalist and broadcaster, the forum emphasised ‘Healthy Places, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds and Healthy Culture.’

Around 60 junior and senior doctors gathered to discuss, celebrate and find ways to improve communication and wellbeing for doctors-in-training.

Ms McCrossin, the former ABC broadcaster and co-presenter from Good News Week, kept the conversation going, interviewing most attendees to ensure all attendees were heard. This resulted in an open and interactive discussion on issues from safe hours to staff numbers, asking questions in the workplace, and self-care.

AMA (NSW) Board member, Dr Sandy Jusuf and DITC Executive, Dr Maria Bilal – both from Royal North Shore Hospital – attended the event, and were given an opportunity to tell participants why AMA (NSW) membership was important to them.

Attendees were also given a brief overview of AMA (NSW)’s Doctors-in-Training Committee (DITC) by Relationship and Project Manager, Danielle Thomson.

Four senior doctors were invited to reflect on what wellbeing means to them by choosing three images to share with the wider group called, “Stories with Pictures”.

A wide variety of images were shared: some being historical, some personal and some that caused bewilderment and hilarity. They were able to share some invaluable insights with their colleagues, including challenges and joys experienced, lessons learnt, strategies on coping with stress and ways to better support each other.

NSLHD’s chief executive, Deb Wilcox, and Dr Tamsin Waterhouse, NSLHD’s medical executive director, also addressed the room and listened to suggestions on how to improve wellbeing.