Health employers urged to commit to action plan
A new action plan has been launched in Sydney with the goal of protecting the mental health of doctors and medical students.
The action plan serves as an implementation tool for the Every Doctor, Every Setting (EDES) Framework, which aims to put more focus on the mental health and wellbeing of the medical profession.
The plan outlines key strategies for current and future action. Its target areas include:
Professor Steve Robson, chair of the National Doctors Health and Wellbeing Leadership Alliance, launched the action plan as he underscored the importance of caring for healthcare professionals' mental health.
"Doctors and medical students face so many challenges in the workplace, including burnout, job strain, and mental health concerns, and this can impact patient care," Robson said in a statement.
"We need system-wide change and the implementation of policies and frameworks that support the psychosocial health and safety of medical professionals. The Every Doctor Every Setting Framework and the action plan improve the health of doctors, their patients, and the community we serve."
Dr. Danielle McMullen, president of the Australian Medical Association, urged employers in the health sector to commit to the plan.
"We've seen some great progress in implementing the framework — including recognition of psychosocial safety as a work health and safety responsibility in most jurisdictions, but more needs to be done," McMullen said.
According to the AMA president, employers need to create environments that support wellbeing and enable quality patient care.
"This includes fostering regular conversations about mental health and promoting legislative change to support psychosocial safety."
The action plan was launched in a summit that gathered Australian healthcare leaders in Sydney, which also aims to explore how to improve psychosocial safety in the workplace.
