Handout -Colleagues in difficulty

What are the signs

• Consistent tardiness or often working later than others
• Skipping breaks
• Frequently calling in 'sick'
• 'Grapevine' comments from other staff
• History of unwell relatives/recent bereavements/divorce
• Unrealistic work load - may reflect financial pressure
• Looking tired and/or untidy
• Hungover...
• Any clear change from how someone usually behaves
• Change in mood/disposition eg angry. irritable, emotional
• Withdrawal/avoidance
• Change in work habits

What can you do to help?

Approach the practitioner. Don't be afraid to ask, "Are you okay?"

Encourage the colleague to seek advice from:

• their supervisor/senior colleagues
• their GP
• Hospital Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Their medical defence organisation (MDO) such as MIPS
• AMA member - Peer Support Service
• Local Doctors' Health Advisory Program
• A range of public available self-help organisations

If the colleague is senior and unapproachable, confide in someone less senior or contact your MDO outlining your concerns.

In extreme cases, where you believe patient safety is at risk, consider your mandatory notification requirements.

AHPRA's code of conduct advocates at:

 6.3.5     Taking appropriate steps to assist your colleague to receive help if you have concerns about a colleague's performance or fitness to practise and at
9.3     Other practitioners' health - practitioners have a responsibility to assist their colleagues to maintain good health

 

MIPS experience has shown many doctors continue to work when they are not feeling their best and take pride in the fact that in doing so they avoid 'letting the team down'.

• This can put patients at risk of harm
• This may further damage their own health and career
• This can have a negative effect on team performance

In the book First do no harm - Leanne Rowe and Michael Kidd 

8 principles for being a resilient doctor

1. Make home a sanctuary
2. Value strong relationships
3. Have an annual preventative health assessment and a good relationship with your GP
4. Control stress, not people
5. Recognise conflict as an opportunity
6. Manage bullying and violence assertively 
7. Make medical organisations work for you
8. Create a legacy - how would you like to be remembered at the end of your medical career, practice ethically and honourably, act accordingly now. 

General/membership enquiries
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+61 3 8620 8888 outside Australia
info@mips.com.au

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1800 061 113 or
+61 3 8620 8829 outside Australia
claims@mips.com.au

Postal address
PO Box 24240
Melbourne VIC 3001