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Trainee Wellbeing
 

External Resources

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External Resources

We know that doctors suffer emotional and physical ill health from time to time but that generally speaking, they find ways to bounce back with little to no assistance. However, if problems are persistent, we recommend that you take action to restore your wellbeing. Below you will find a number of resources that might help.

 

Find the Right General Practitioner

Register with a GP who is neither friend nor family and who will ensure that professional boundaries are maintained in all decision making.

Though you will have your own thoughts on diagnosis and appropriate interventions, bring an open mind to the consultation and just ‘be a patient’.

An Irish study on GP trainees found that 57% had informally consulted a colleague regarding their health needs and 35% had referred themselves directly to a consultant, bypassing their GP. Furthermore, 92% had self-prescribed on at least one occasion. This is ill-advised as it results in compromised level of care.

Most GPs are very comfortable with treating doctors as patients and are registered with the HIP Network. You may contact the network to find the name of such a GP in your area if you have not already registered.

View the National GP Directory for NCHDs, Trainees and Interns

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Occupational Health

All public hospital employees in Ireland now have access to occupational health services. These are based on site in the larger hospitals or accessible off-site in some areas. Each is clinically led by a specialist / consultant occupational physician who provides a service with a team of nurses and administrative staff. All work closely with physiotherapists who can ‘fast-track’ access to treatment for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and also have access, directly or indirectly, to counselling support services, which may or may not be on site.

Occupational health deals with the interface between health and work but encompasses a broader remit of work and work environment (including psychosocial environment), health and ill-health as well as life and lifestyle.

A very strict code of ethics underpins occupational health practice, augmenting the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics (7th Edition). Occupational health professionals are mindful of the importance of respecting confidentiality. They have a particular skill in communicating effectively with employers and managers on fitness for work issues without disclosing confidential health details.

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Free Counselling for Doctors

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a national initiative that offers confidential counselling and referral services to hospital staff experiencing psychological stress. The EAP gives you access to trained, experienced counsellors who will help you to develop coping strategies in a non-judgemental confidential environment.

You can contact your local Employee Assistance Programme directly - self-referrals are accepted. 

Some Employee Assistance Programmes offer a 24-hour helpline, depending on the hospital group. 

If you contact an Employee Assistance Programmes, you can avail of prompt confidential referral to a counsellor independent of the Occupational Health Department in your hospital. The Occupational Health Department in your hospital will only ever be contacted by the Employee Assistance Programme if there is a concern for your safety or patient safety.

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RCPI Mentoring Initiative

The RCPI Mentoring Initiative is a confidential mentoring service that operates on a self-referral basis, at no cost to trainees. These doctors have received specialised training on how to mentor and can help trainees who are dealing with issues such as:

  • Career choices, not sure if they've chosen the right specialty
  • Balancing family life with work
  • Considering leaving medicine and pursuing a different career
  • Challenges with interpersonal relationships at work
  • Bereavement or traumatic events
  • Challenges with contracts
  • Managing time effectively
  • Self-development, personal development and career development
  • Working on complex projects with variety of challenges

Trainees who contact RCPI to request support will be matched to the mentor who is best equipped to offer support for that particular trainee. Our mentors will share their knowledge and experience and will help trainees achieve the best results. Our mentors are committed to supporting trainees’ development.

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RCPI Courses and Resources

The following two documents will help you find a professional:

As part of our Physician Wellbeing programme, we offer a range of courses and workshops, specially tailored for doctors, to help you manage stress and workplace challenges.

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HSE National HR Employee Helpdesk

The HSE’s National HR Employee Helpdesk went live on 4 January 2016. It is there to provide support to HSE employees.

You can contact the Helpdesk regarding benefits, terms and conditions of employment and advice on the operation of the grievance and disciplinary processes.

Contact the Helpdesk on 1850 444 925, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm or email ask.hr@hse.ie. They are also on Facebook – search for HSE HR SAYS.

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Practitioner Health Matters Programme

Any doctor, dentist or pharmacist who has a concern about a mental health or a substance misuse problem can receive confidential help from experts at the Practitioner Health Matters Programme.

The Practitioner Health Matters Programme operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded primarily by voluntary contributions and professional associations. It has replaced the former Sick Doctor Scheme.

For more, see practitionerhealth.ie or call 01 297 0356.

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Bibliotherapy and Self Help

The use of books for therapeutic purposes is known as bibliotherapy. Self-help books have been used in this way for many years and are now being recommended as a means of providing psychological therapy for people experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties. The effectiveness of bibliotherapy has been well established in clinical trials.

Bibliotherapy has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) UK as a useful start in treating mild and moderate depression, anxiety and panic and some other mental health problems.

Self-Help Groups

  • Aware is a national organisation which, through various media, provides information, education and support to the community on depression.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous is an international organisation dedicated to providing support to individuals and families affected by alcohol misuse.
  • Bodywhys is the national support group for people affected by eating disorders.
  • Pieta House provides support to those who are contemplating suicide or engaged in self-harm.
  • The 3Ts works in suicide prevention and funds the 1Life Suicide helpline.
  • The Samaritans provide one to one telephone support to people who are emotionally distressed.

Online Wellbeing Tools

  • Beaumont Hospital’s Mindfulness and Relaxation Centre has good information and downloadable apps.
  • Psychologists at the Australian National University have developed Moodgym, an online resource that teaches cognitive behavioural techniques for the management of depression and anxiety. This is available free of charge to registered users.
  • Psychological interventions can help to improve coping abilities and reduce stress. Information on local services is available from the Psychological Society of Ireland
  • Developed by Daniel Siegel and David Rock, the seven activities on the Healthy Mind Platter provide a ‘well-balanced diet’ for wellbeing.
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Information Leaflets and Fact Sheets

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