CDT Chair update - August
The Committee of Doctors in training has been immensely busy over the past few months, working on a series of projects around doctor-in-training (DiT) wellbeing, MOCA 6 and entitlement awareness and working with individual DiTs with industrial relations and wellbeing concerns at their own hospitals.
We have also been heavily promoting the Resident Hospital Health Check, encouraging all DiTs to complete this important survey to identify key advocacy issues and track progress on a range of domains across the state.
Resident Hospital Health Check
The Resident Hospital Health Check was launched with a well-received webinar on 27 July, hosted by myself and Industrial Relations Chair Dr Antony Ji with input from ASMOFQ. The MOCA 6 was also explored, with updates provided to attendees via a lively Q and A session. Our local hospital representatives have promoted the survey via social media and local events with visits from ASMOFQ and AMA Queensland, and we look forward to the result release in October.
Complete the Resident Hospital Health Check survey
Education and Training Special Interest Group update
The Education and Training SIG has also been busy designing an informative poster around a key area of concern for DiTs – accessing Professional Development Leave. This will be distributed across Hospital and Health Services throughout the state to provide extra support for DiTs to ensure they can access their entitlements. They have also been providing feedback on the challenges currently facing service and career registrars to help inform the prevocational policy work underway federally.
Sustainability goals
The CDT has highlighted the importance of sustainability and incorporating sustainable initiatives into daily practice to the AMA Queensland Council, with a series of recommendations including making the 2024 Junior Doctor Conference carbon-neutral. Further discussion at Council has led to the introduction of a Sustainability Working Group, which will direct ongoing work in this space.
Wellbeing
Finally, the CDT have been involved in a variety of wellbeing initiatives, including a publication in MJA Insight+ reflecting on the limitations of an individual-focused response to wellbeing and the importance of structural reform. We have continued to meet with leaders of various hospitals and health services to discuss our recommendations around systematic changes that can improve the health and wellbeing of doctors-in-training, and have formed a CDT After Hours Working Group in response to concerns around the impact of ward call on wellbeing.
Treating Doctors with Mental Health Challenges webinar
On the 17 August, we held a webinar with a focus on Treating Doctors with Mental Health Challenges. Numerous doctors with lived experience of mental illness provided their experience and offered suggestions on how to optimise management, with the aim to minimise stigma and enable access to appropriate treatment. Ahpra representatives also presented and provided guidance and reassurance around the notification process. They emphasised the importance of seeking treatment, and reinforced that notification is only required where there is an impairment posing a significant risk to the public. Psychiatrist and Past President of RANZCP Dr Kym Jenkins shared her wisdom in treating doctors with mental health challenges. This webinar is available online for anyone who is interested.
Watch the recorded webinar - password is 2023webinarMentalHealth
The CDT is looking forward to continuing our work in representing the interests of DiTs and particularly advocating around the outcomes of the Resident Hospital Health Check.
