AMA Nat Con passes motion in support of doctors’ health and well being
Enshrined in the 2017 update of the Declaration of Geneva of the World Medical Association is the sentence “I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard.” Lofty words that ring hollow when the business and culture of medicine thwarts self-care and wellness. Dr Michael Myers, a specialist in physician health and doctors’ doctor, delivered a key note address at the AMA National Conference examining these forces and outlining what needs to change, change that is long overdue. Dr Myers’ address was followed by a panel discussion on how doctors and medical students can and should look after their own health, and the ongoing barriers to that care.
This culminated in a motion that was supported almost unanimously by delegates at National Conference:
That our AMA:
- Re-affirms its support for the 2017 update of the Declaration of Geneva of the World Medical Association pledge noting in particular: “I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard”;
- Affirms that doctors must care about and value the health of their colleagues understanding that safe and mentally safe workplaces lead to healthy doctors and better health outcomes for patients and their doctors; and
- Calls on the AMA Federal Council to lead the action to coordinate and drive the medical profession to form a leadership group that will work:
- in a consistent, coordinated, supportive and inclusive manner to;
- collaboratively implement the national framework addressing factors that will enhance the physical and mental health of doctors and medical students and improve the health and well-being of the medical profession.
You can watch the session here
