The Background

1

• The Dr DOC Program

Dr Roger Sexton FRACGP, FACRRM

• The Background
• Doctors Health
• Medical Myths
• The 10 key strategies
• Future recommendations

ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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DOCTORS HEALTH
DOCTOR PATIENT ROLE DIFFICULTY
AVOID SEEKING HELP SELF TREAT
PERSONALITY
INFERIOR HEALTH CARE
10 IN CRISIS
ISOLATED UNSUPPORTED
CONFIDENTIALITY
RURAL STRESSORS
GOOD PHYSICAL HEALTH
JOB MAKES THEM SICK
TRUSTED CONFIDANT
NO DOCTOR WHEN SICK
SUICIDE DEPRESSION ADDICTION
MORE CHOICES OF HELP
1/3 HAVE A GP
INFREQUENT HEALTH CHECKS
PROFESSIONAL DISSATISFACTION
ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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Medical Myths

• Doctors dont get sick
• The right stuff
• The harder I work, the more Ill be loved and
  respected
• I can treat myself
• A doctors work is the most important thing
• Competitiveness vs. Collegiality
• Confidentiality
• If I ask for help, I might get struck off
• The Corridor Consultation friend or physician

ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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The Dr DOC Program 10 Cs
Culture of caring
Choices
Core business
Country-centred
Dr. DOC
CPD
Crisis support Crisis planning
Confidentiality
Collaboration
Clarification
Cochrane
ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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The Dr DOC Program
CPD
PAMPHLETS
LONG SERVICE MEDALS
CRISIS PLANS
CRISIS PHONE SUPPORT LINE
LINK GPs
CHECK-UPS
RETREATS
RESEARCH
WEBSITE
ON-CALL PROFESSIONALS
ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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The Rural GP Workforce
ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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Dr DOC Program Positives !

• Evidence based
• All Rural Divisions supportive
• Networks are effective and personal
• Choice of entry points
• For doctors and spouses
• Outreach approach
• Early Detection Strategies
• GP health and illness is no longer taboo!

ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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Evaluation of Dr DOC Program2000 - 2004

• 100 awareness of the program
• More GPs taking care of their physical health
• Modest improvement in psychological wellbeing
• More GPs providing support to each other
• Fewer GPs intending to leave within 2 5 years
• Self-care CPD valued effective
• More timely and effective crisis intervention
• Fewer rural GP presentation to Medical Board
• More doctors with their own GP

ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM
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RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FORUM

• All States, Territories and rural Divisions to
  adopt a GP Health Program as core business and
  offer it to all GPs and spouses
• Ensure a range of choices of help is available to
  rural GPs
• Provide self-care and personal crisis information
  to all rural GPs
• Circulate an Algorithm for Distressed Doctor
  widely to key personnel
• Deliver positive self-care messages to medical
  students
• Educate doctors on how to be a patient in the
  health system
• Promote the value of Crisis Plans to all rural
  doctors and Divisions
• Offer evidence-based self-management CPD to all
  rural GPs

ACRRM Scientific Forum 2004 Dr Roger Sexton,
FACRRM