The Welfare of Anaesthetists Group has been meeting on a regular basis since August 1995. The Group was formed to raise awareness of the many personal and professional issues which can adversely affect the physical and emotional well-being of anaesthetists and intensivists at all stages of their careers. In 1998 the group became an official Special Interest Group, with ANZCA providing the secretariat. The group is an informative, educative and referral group; it has no therapeutic role.

The aims of the group are:

TO PROMOTE THE PERSONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF ANAESTHETISTS, INTENSIVISTS. & PAIN MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS.

TO HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF WELFARE ISSUES IN ANESTHETISTS AND INTENSIVISTS

By

• Education of anaesthetists, intensivists and trainees in the care of their personal and psychological health, and that of their colleagues, fostering a climate of care, openness and support
• Identification of issues causing stress in anaesthetists’ and intensivists’ lives.
• Establishment of guidelines for management of welfare-related problems ("Resources Documents").
• Expansion of CME activities to include education on issues such as lifestyle, mental health, relationships, stress management and personal development, by holding sessions at state and national meetings, one day seminars, and regional Seminars for trainees and trainers.
• Developing support strategies within and outside the profession
• Establishment of a website, a resource brochure, a resource network & a reading list
• Facilitating access to, and liaison with existing helping agencies (eg Doctors' Health Advisory Services - DHAS)
• Advertisement of Welfare activities and support schemes (in ASA & NZSA Newsletters, ANZCA Bulletin)
• Liaison with ANZCA, ASA, NZSA, & other organisations
• Research and data collection

The "RESOURCES DOCUMENTS" developed by the Welfare SIG provide brief comment, give references, and identify strategies for use in dealing with the more common professional and personal stresses:

• After a major anaesthetic mishap
• Dealing with suspected or proven substance abuse
• The impaired colleague
• Medico-legal issues
• Training and Family responsibilities
• Welfare issues for the anaesthetic department
• Infection
• Latex Allergy
• Manual handling
• Examinations
• Personal Health and Strategies
• Financial Issues
• Recognising Depression (in yourself or a colleague)
• Retirement
• Fatigue
• Advice to trainees
• Sexual misconduct
• Mentors & the "Buddy" system
• Why don’t you have your own GP ?
• Auckland Substance Abuse Protocols
• Reading List
• Generic Seminar Program - "Striving, thriving and surviving in Anaesthesia & Intensive Care"

Regional Seminars

1995 New South Wales
1997 & 1998 Western Australia
1998 Queensland
1998 Tasmania
1998 South Australia
1998 Victoria
1999 New Zealand; March, Auckland. Contact Dr Rob Burrell

Other Activities

• Articles in ANZCA Bulletin, ASA Newsletters and other publications
• Doctors’ Health Advisory Services Numbers in ANZCA Bulletin and ASA Newsletter
• Liaison with ANZCA, ASA, NZSA, Doctors Health Advisory Services, Regional Medical Boards