‘I have a GP’ initiative launches
The AMA has launched a new initiative to encourage a conversation among doctors about the importance of having a GP and taking care of their own health.
The AMA’s “I have a GP” initiative highlights why it’s important for doctors to ensure they look after their health.
AMA Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen told ABC TV News Breakfast this week the initiative was advocated for by the AMA’s Council of Doctors in Training.
“This is a brilliant initiative thought up by our Doctors in Training group, really to remind each other ….that a healthy doctor is a good doctor and that to best care for our patients we need to also remember to take a minute to get ourselves a GP,” she said.
“And to make sure that we are looking after our own health by having a regular GP and care team and not fall foul of trying to self-manage or put ourselves on the bottom of the list and look after everyone else before our own health.”
The initiative will run over the next month with videos featuring doctors at different career stages detailing why all doctors should have a GP.
Videos are posted weekdays on the AMA’s LinkedIn and Instagram platforms, and doctors are encouraged to reshare the posts with their own experiences using the hashtag #ihaveagp.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the project seeks to promote a discussion among doctors about the importance of having a GP.
“It’s so important for doctors to take care of their own health. We know that doctors go through a lot, and the past few years have really added extra pressure on top of an already demanding job.”
Dr Hannah Szewczyk, Chair of the AMA’s Council of Doctors in Training, said on ABC Radio Sunshine Coast that 20 per cent of doctors in training were considering leaving medicine and ‘I have a GP’ is designed to assist.
“I’m just hoping that doctors think about their own health and wellbeing a little bit more and think about it earlier rather than letting it get to a breaking point.
“So, something has to be done. We are trying to take a more positive spin. We know that there are issues, but there can be really beneficial things that come out of having a relationship with a GP and having a GP care for you.”
The initiative is run in collaboration with Drs4Drs.
If you are a doctor or medical student free, confidential help is available 24/7 at the Drs4Drs website
