Psychiatry trainee welfare – from words to action

Abstract

Objective: To review selected literature available on trainee welfare and reflect on our own experiences to provide practical advice to our colleagues and suggest strategies to enhance trainee welfare. Conclusions: Promoting the welfare of psychiatry trainees requires a three-pronged approach. We must care for ourselves through individual strategies; we must advocate for optimization of the systems we work in to minimize modifiable factors associated with burnout; and we must continue on the perennial challenge of culture change to reduce stigma around stress and mental illness and promote a healthier workplace.

Promoting and improving the well‐being of junior doctors in Australia: Did you know? Practical Practice Pointers

“…The Resilience on the Run program was designed to reduce the risk of burnout in intern medical officers and enhance their capacity to change unhealthy workplace practices . However, interventions that primarily target junior doctors, including resilience training, are unlikely to alleviate undesirable workplace culture if used in isolation . Instead, multifaceted systemic workplace interventions are recommended to embed a culture that nurtures junior doctor well‐being .…”

“…However, since the introduction of Internet‐delivered health care, the geographical barrier to receiving psychological support for junior doctors is less apparent. Internet‐delivered mental health treatments allow people to access support at their own convenience and can contribute towards reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental illness . Below is a sample of online mental health resources that junior doctors in rural and remote Australian locations might find useful if they feel burnt‐out, or have experienced workplace bullying or harassment: Beyond Blue provides online counselling and information for people going through a tough time; Black Dog Institute has developed online interactive self‐help cognitive behavioural therapy services for people suffering from depression, anxiety and stress; eMHPrac aims to raise health practitioner awareness and knowledge of online mental health resources and to provide training and support in their use; and MindSpot offers free courses for adults who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, stress, depression and low mood. …”

“…However, interventions that primarily target junior doctors, including resilience training, are unlikely to alleviate undesirable workplace culture if used in isolation . Instead, multifaceted systemic workplace interventions are recommended to embed a culture that nurtures junior doctor well‐being . The efficacy of such initiatives warrants further investigation and monitoring over time.…”

“…4 Instead, multifaceted systemic workplace interventions are recommended to embed a culture that nurtures junior doctor well-being. 4 The efficacy of such initiatives warrants further investigation and monitoring over time. In the interim, junior doctors must prioritise their own physical and mental well-being and should aspire to achieve a work-life balance.…”

“…Internet-delivered mental health treatments allow people to access support at their own convenience and can contribute towards reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental illness. 2,4 Below is a sample of online mental health resources that junior doctors in rural and remote Australian locations might find useful if they feel burnt-out, or have experienced workplace bullying or harassment:…”