VICDOC Winter 2022 - Magazine - Page 73
Hand N Hand Peer Support
run a peer support service that
links doctors (and other health
professionals) with individual
or group-based peer discussions.
This can be a great way to connect
with other people who are likely
feeling the same way.
Here are
some tips
—
» One tip to reduce your
chances of developing
burnout is to connect with
others for peer support
» Organising a regular
'stress check-in' group
» Working as a health
professional can be
rewarding, but also
exhausting and stressful.
If you have colleagues who
you’re comfortable talking
to about the stresses of your
work, consider setting up
a regular ‘stress check-in’
(if you’re not doing
this already!).
» Make the purpose of the
group clear. This allows
people to feel comfortable
about raising the topic of
stress or burnout.
» Start with a problem and
finish with a solution. In the
first half, let people voice
their stresses. In the second
half, turn the discussion to
ways of reducing stress and
improving things.
» Try to keep the group small
so that everyone gets a
chance to speak.
» Respect that different
people will come to the
group for different reasons.
» Be mindful of confidentiality
and privacy when deciding
when and where to meet.
» If someone comes to the
group in crisis, be willing
to help them on the spot
and point them towards
additional support services.
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