About our Program
The principal goal of the GP Wellbeing Program is to is to promote the health and wellbeing of GPs within the Monash Division. To identify the direction this program should take, the Division held 3 focus groups. The main purpose of these focus groups was to explore what are the main issues identified by local GPs, and what could the division realistically try to do to improve GP wellbeing.
The issues identified can be grouped under three headings and mirror those which have been described in the literature. They are wide-ranging and complex. Many are beyond the ability of the division to do anything about. However, they have been taken into account in proposing the goals and objectives of the program.
- Issues relating to Working Conditions
- Issues relating to the GP
- Issues relating to the Patient
View the full report from these focus groups, as well as the strategic direction and priorities decided by the GP Wellbeing GP Working Group.
Doctors Walk their Talk Program
This innovative program developed by Division GPs in conjunction with a local consultant aims to assist GPs cope with work related stress and burnout. The repercussions of work related stress also spread to members of the doctor's family, with studies finding high reates of suicide among women married to doctors and psychiatrists reporting high attendance by doctor's children
The "Doctors Walk their Talk" program consists of 3 x 2.5 hr modules which can be run over a weekend or consecutive weeks.
The key learning objectives for the program are:
- Deepen doctor’s awareness of the factors that brought them into this profession and how this impacts on their capacity to cope with the strains of general practice.
- Assist doctors to better understand themselves, be better equipped to make changes and develop more resilience.
- Assist GPs to change thinking and attitude.
- Educate GPs about professional burnout, stress management and the latest developments in the field of peak performance, in particular energy management.
- Develop a range of strategies for dealing with the stress of General Practice.
- Reflect on the challenges and solutions to work/life balance.
- Assist GPs to define a personally sustainable lifestyle— develop a model for wellbeing to Happiness, Resilience and Wellbeing.
The roll out of the program commenced early 2007 with a the module running over 2 days. See the Education Page for latest running dates.
The Division is able to offer a packaged program that other organisations can utilise. For details on the costs associated please contact Toni Lamarche.
Female GP Network -The inaugural meeting of the Female GP Network was held in October 2006.
An enthusiastic group of 13 GPs decided that this support group was beneficial and so several dates are scheduled for 2007.
An exciting program is being developed which is sure to capture your attention. Keep your eye on the CPD calendar page for information on upcoming topics and dates.
Courses & Contacts
Please contact the Division for information on upcoming courses.
Resources
“Why YOU too, need a GP” - A personal experience by Dr Gary Kilov
"Better Health & Fitness – A personal journey" by Dr Tim Foo
"Summary of Achieving Authentic Lasting Happiness" by Dr Mary Stavropoulou
"GPs are Human's Too - The Broader issues in GP Stress" by Associate Professor Peter Schattner
"Laughter is the Best Medicine" by Dr Susan Kloot
"Are GPs more stressed than Lawyers?" by Dr Peter Tsoi
"Peer Support Balint Groups - A Reflective Space for GPs" by Dr Marion Lustig
A full listing of useful books and websites is available on our Resources Page.
For further information about this program contact Toni Lamarche at the Division.
© Division of General Practice 2006