Dr Liz Rushbrook, Chief Medical Officer
Superhero socks for Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day
Are you wearing crazy socks today? This morning I put on my superhero socks for Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day. It’s an annual event raising awareness about mental health of doctors and healthcare workers around the world.
Doctors’ mental health is an ongoing priority for hospitals and health services. Sadly, doctors experience substantially higher rates of mental distress and have higher rates of suicide compared to both the Australian population and other Australian health professionals.
Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day is an important event this year – particularly after the past few years of pandemic where doctors and health professionals have experienced uncertainty.
Typically, medical professionals are high achievers. Doctors may expect themselves to be infallible which means that they are far less likely to discuss any issues / problems they experience. The work of doctors is high pressure, busy and demanding – facing life changing and/or life and death situations where failure is challenging. Unfortunately, doctors are also less likely than other professionals to seek help. I wonder – do you have a General Practitioner? This is one tangible way that you can set yourself up for success!
Metro North offers a range of wellbeing support services for staff, including access to free confidential counselling through the employee assistance service. Also available is the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service (Qld) on 07 3833 4352. Most specialty colleges also have dedicated support services. I encourage all doctors, and all of our staff, to please reach out if you need support. The Crazy Socks 4 Docs website also has an extensive list of support services you can access.
RMO and Registrar information evening
In support of the annual RMO and Registrar recruitment campaign, Metro North is holding an information evening for potential RMOs and Registrars next Monday evening, 5 June from 5pm-6.15pm.
The event will be held via Teams and is an opportunity to hear about the range of opportunities available from February 2024. There will be a Q&A panel with doctors including current RMOs and medical workforce representatives who can answer any questions you may have.
You can register online for the event to receive the Teams link. The event is open to junior doctors across Australia, so please feel free to let your colleagues elsewhere know as well.
Liz.