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JMO Survival Guide
6. Where do I go for help? Resources and Supports
7.1 Professional
Intern year (as well as other JMO years) can be a challenging time and it may test your clinical confidence and knowledge many times over! A good junior doctor is one that knows how and when to ask for help. Other interns can be a great source of support and learning. Call on your residents, who should have many memories about being an intern. Registrars and consultants are always around for help and teaching, however it can sometimes be a matter of finding one with time. Your medical education officer can often arrange a bit of extra support or teaching for you. The Director of Postgraduate Medical Education is the person to talk to if you have problems with your rotation, personal issues or any other problem affecting your work.
7.2 Personal Health and Wellbeing
Talk to someone!
If you, or a colleague are finding things overwhelming and/ or you are unwell, the key message is “talk to someone about it”.
The second point is “no matter how much you feel it – you are not alone”. Even though you may feel as though you are the only one who feels like they are floundering or dipping beneath the surface of coping, the chances are that you are not.
There are some great contact points and resources around to help us as it is well known that the early years of being a doctor is an intense and frequently stressful period.
- Colleague of First Contact (Doctor's Health Advisory Serve in WA):
9321 3098
An independent, confidential, 24-hour service staffed by experienced doctors. Calls can be anonymous and made by the person themselves, a family member, colleague or friend. - GP
You must have your own GP!
The “GPs for Doctors” program provides information on self-care and a list of GPs who have a special interest in doctors as patients.
Contacts:Kelli Porter
GP Wellness Project Officer
Fremantle GP Network
Tel: 9319 0555
Email: kellip@frdgp.com.auDr Irene Fruzynski
GP Adviser
Fremantle GP Network
Tel: 9364 6633 (surgery)
Email: irene.fruzynski@rrmed.com - Employee Assistance Program (for public sector employees): 1800 337 068
A professional and completely confidential counselling service is provided by ITIM, either over the telephone or in person, and is available 24 hours a day. Employees and immediate family members may receive up to 6 sessions for any issue where counselling is required. Your employer does not even find out who accesses this service. - Department of Postgraduate Medical Education
The Director of Postgraduate Medical Education and Medical Education Officer at your hospital are always available to discuss any personal or work related concerns. - Australian Medical Association (AMAWA)
9273 3000
7.3 Industrial
If you are having issues with your pay, working hours, rosters etc, there are a few places you can call on for help. As always, a first port of call may be your immediate senior staff member. Depending on the situation, this may not always be the ideal person to ask for help. The next person to chat to would be your medical education officer, who as you will now be aware, spends a lot of time looking after you. While your friendly MEO may not be able to directly help you, they may know in which direction to point you towards. Industrial issues sometimes go beyond all these resources and in these cases the place to seek help is directly from the AMA. They spend many hours representing and fighting for the industrial rights of junior doctors. The way to get help from them is easy – all you need do is be a member and then you can contact them any time with any problem.
7.4 Medico-legal
Issues of a medico-legal nature as a JMO can be quite stressful. In general, it is always better to seek advice earlier rather than later, even if you never end up needing the help. Your immediate senior staff members are helpful in these situations for debriefing and support. Your MEO can help direct you to appropriate staff within the hospital (such as the staff in Legal) for your situation. Finally, always make sure you have an up to date membership of a Medical Defence Organisation (MDO) and give them a call straight away.
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