Welfare of Anaesthetists

OBJECTIVE

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.

  Aims of the SIG

The aims of the group are

• To promote the personal and psychological well-being of anaesthetists, intensivists, and pain medicine practitioners.
• To heighten awareness of welfare issues in anaesthetists and intensivists.

It achieves these aims by:

• Educating anaesthetists and trainees in the care of their personal and psychological health, and that of their colleagues, fostering a climate of care, openness and support.
• Identifying issues causing stress in anaesthetists’ lives.
• Establishing guidelines for management of welfare-related problems ("Resource Documents ").
• Expanding 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.
• Establishing a website, a resource brochure, a resource network & a reading list.
• Facilitating access to, and liaison with existing helping agencies (e.g., Doctors' Health Advisory Services - DHAS).
• Advertising Welfare activities and support schemes (in ASA & NZSA Newsletters, ANZCA Bulletin).
•  Liaising with ANZCA, ASA, NZSA, & other organisations.
• Researching and collecting data.

WOAG MISSION: Our function

The Welfare of Anaesthetists Special Interest Group was formed to promote the concept of physician health, both physical and mental. It is our intention to make physician health issues mainstream and regarded as integral to healthy doctor-patient, doctor-family and doctor-workplace relationships. Our activities include, (but are not limited to): Education (trainees as well as specialists), liaison with other professional bodies, guidance (but not direct treatment or referral) for appropriate management of physician health problems).

WOAG VISION: Future Directions

Research and data on welfare issues in Australian/New Zealand anaesthetists. Wide acceptance by professional bodies and health administrations of the importance of welfare issues. Development of workplace practices that support anaesthetists and keep them well.

WOAG GOALS: Strategies to fulfil our mission and vision

• Plenary sessions at major CME meetings
• Free-standing SIG meetings
• Annual state-based meetings on welfare and professional issues for trainees
• Health and welfare surveys

ACTIVITIES

 The Welfare SIG contributed a workshop and a session to the 2011 CSM in Hong Kong. For further details on this please visit the CSM website. 

EVENTS

RESOURCES

The Resource 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:

Annual Report 2010 

Annual Report 2009

Annual Report 2008

AGM Minutes 2011 

AGM Minutes 2010

AGM Minutes 2009

AGM Minutes 2007

The Doctor's Health Advisory Service

If you are concerned about yourself or a colleague, contact the "hotline" nearest to you

MEMBERSHIP

If you’d like information on joining the Welfare SIG, download an application form or contact Hannah Burnell, SIG Coordinator on +61 3 8517 5392 or hburnell@anzca.edu.au

EXECUTIVE

 The Executive of the Medical Education SIG meets regularly, usually via teleconference to discuss matters related to the group's area of interest.