National Conference focuses on doctors’ mental health and wellbeing

Dr John Zorbas, Chair, AMACDT, led a panel of experts to discuss the issues surrounding doctors’ health and wellbeing at AMA National Conference. Following on from Minister Hunt’s welcome announcement of dedicated funding to support doctors’ mental health and reduce the incidence of suicide in the medical profession, the session showcased a range of initiatives that are in place to improve doctors’ mental health and wellbeing and explored what strategies were required to further improve doctors’ mental health.

“Mandatory reporting comes up time and time again as a key barrier to doctors who are unwell getting help from their treating doctor,” commented Dr Zorbas. “The obligations to report are different in different states and territories. In Western Australia there is an exemption under which a treating doctor is exempt from mandatory reporting a doctor patient. This exemption should be considered for adoption across Australia to encourage doctors to seek health care early when they need it.”