Media Release
RACP calls on doctors to take better care of their health
Monday, 27 May 2013
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Australia's largest specialist medical college, will today launch
its Health of Doctors Position Statement, which urges doctors to take better care of their own health, and give higher
priority to personal and family healthcare.
RACP President Associate Professor Leslie E. Bolitho AM said doctors dedicate their professional lives to looking after
the health and wellbeing of others but, like anyone else, need to look after their own health.
“Doctors have a responsibility to themselves, their families, their patients and the healthcare system to safeguard
their own health and wellbeing,” said Associate Professor Bolitho.
“While collectively doctors enjoy comparatively good physical health, the characteristics of medical practice and the
personalities it attracts predispose doctors to higher than average health risks in certain areas.
“Certain subgroups of doctors, including medical students and trainees, rural and remote doctors, women and indigenous
doctors, are at greater risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes due to particular stressors associated with their
situation.
“These adverse health outcomes include burnout, anxiety, depression, substance use problems or dysfunctional personal
relationships.
“Historically, the culture of the medical profession has encouraged doctors to sacrifice their own health through
accepted practices such as working long hours and taking work home.”
The RACP notes that some doctors may be reluctant to seek appropriate medical care and may feel uncomfortable assuming
the role of patient when health concerns arise, and instead opt to treat themselves or seek informal care from a
colleague.
Doctors are encouraged to seek independent medical consultations, and there is growing recognition that a particular
skill set can be taught to help doctors treat other doctors more effectively.
The RACP recognises that increasingly efforts are being made to address counterproductive workplace behaviours and that
managing one’s own health is an integral part of professionalism for all doctors.
As the body that trains specialist physicians in Australia and New Zealand, the RACP believes it has an important role
to play in engaging its members around this issue, and is in a strong position to support and reinforce the health and
wellbeing needs of the medical workforce in the early stages of medical careers. Occupational Physicians can assist in
maintaining doctors at work or returning doctors to work in a safe and structured way.
The RACP has a number of initiatives underway to support Fellows and Trainee members with health concerns. In 2014 the
RACP will launch a formal early intervention program to identify and support Trainee members in difficulty. This is
intended as a mechanism to provide help before a Trainee member becomes subject to the formal Independent Review of
Training consequent to unsatisfactory performance.
In New Zealand, the RACP has published a resource entitled “How to Survive as a New Consultant” that contains advice for
newly qualified specialist physicians.
Regulatory frameworks are also an important consideration, as mandatory reporting of impaired doctors can act as a
deterrent to seeking help. The RACP welcomes the action that regulatory, accreditation and indemnity bodies are taking
to support doctors’ health.
Ends