A new national website has been launched offering a central coordination point to link doctors and medical students to a range of supports for their own health and wellbeing.
www.drs4drs.com.au is supported by a network of doctors’ health advisory and referral services operating across Australia; each offering independent, safe, supportive and confidential programs.
The creation of DR4DRS has been led by the Doctors’ Health Services Board (DrHS), incorporating input from all State and Territory doctors’ health services.
DRS4DRS has a large menu of wellbeing strategies and where to find health care support, including links to each doctors’ health service, allowing doctors and medical students to find a GP, join a local support network, seek urgent advice, or participate in key events.
By acting as a ‘one stop shop’, it aims to break down some of the barriers doctors experience when seeking help for their physical and mental health. “The ability to access health care out of hours and to find confidential help are two significant barriers,” DrHS Chair, David Brennan, said.
“The DRS4DRS website details supports that can be accessed 24/7, how to connect with a confidential service for doctors only, as well as strategies to assist with the many aspects of managing a busy professional life.”
The DRS4DRS site provides guidance for doctors on supporting a medical colleague. Doctors who see doctors as patients can find helpful information about managing the doctor-patient consult and access online learning modules about caring for colleagues.
