VDHP Newsletter
Issue 14 Summer 2015
VDHP Newsletter
Issue 14
Summer 2015
On behalf of the staff of VDHP I welcome you to the first newsletter of 2015.
We hope you find some of these articles interesting and of value. Please remember that if you have
any concerns about your own or a colleague’s health, VDHP is available to help you in whichever way
is appropriate.
Dr Kym Jenkins
Medical Director
Arts and Health
Music, movement and dance, visual arts and other creative pursuits are increasingly recognised as valuable to
health and wellbeing. In November 2014, Melbourne hosted a 3-day international conference
that focused on the links between the arts and health.
Presenters spoke of their work in a wide range of areas, including:
 textile art in community settings.
 creative movement in community settings; in aged care facilities; for patients with
Parkinson’s.
 visual arts as expressive/diversional/cathartic therapy in mental health, cancer care, in acute health care;
 story writing with adolescents
 singing and drama in mental health care;
 music in aged care, with asylum seekers.
 arts as support for health professionals working in challenging settings
(vicarious trauma)
Music is being used in hospitals to create a calmer atmosphere, eg in theatre
areas. The Hush program, begun by Dr Catherine Crock at the RCH, has
developed collections of music that family and children find calming, as do staff: “the music has calmed the staff
and… helps the teamwork in our operating theatre.”
Where are creativity and the arts present in your
Community health programs are increasingly using
elements of arts and culture in their activities. Public
health program Vichealth uses active arts programs to
address physical inactivity and to help emotional
wellbeing (eg No lights No lycra – dance along to great
music, however you want to, shake out the stress)
life? Are there things that you’d love to do again,
or new things you’d love to learn?
...singing in a choir
...making pottery and ceramics
...listening to great jazz on a Sunday afternoon
...learning creative writing and writing a novel
...line-dancing on Saturday night
“Loneliness is a bigger threat to health than smoking 15 cigarettes/day,… increasing risks of dementia and
disability” – Janet Morrison, CEO Independent Age UK. Social connections are important for well-being.
Establishing and maintaining these through life brings pleasure; maintaining these community activities for
quality of life is as important, when planning for retirement, as financial planning.
Art as a social tonic… coming together in a collective activity is good for you”
Mike White, University of Durham, UK.
References:
www.artsandhealth.org/conferences/the-art-of-good-health-and-wellbeing-melbourne-2014.html
www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/does-art-really-work-as-therapy3f/5883038
http://nolightsnolycra.com/the-nlnl-story/
Evans, Kathy. “The sound of spirits lifting”. The Age, Spectrum supplement, 15.11.14
Images:
www.thechoir.com.au/
www.ballroomdancereviews.com
Dr Sandy Youren
Senior Clinician
VDHP Newsletter
Issue 14 Summer 2015
Burnout
In today’s society we have to juggle so much and we place very high expectations on ourselves to be able to
do it all. It is, therefore, not very surprising that burnout is becoming such a familiar term and for some of us it
has become a very personal relationship.
What is burnout?
The term “burnout” was conceived by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberg in the 1970s. It described
the ramification of severe stress and high ideals that people working in a helping profession can experience.
Burnout can be described as a chronic state of stress which can lead to:
 Physical and emotional exhaustion;
 Cynicism and detachment;
 Feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment (Sherrie Bourg, Psy. D
November 26 2013 in High Octane Women)
Some of the factors which might contribute are:
 Feeling either overworked or under challenged
 Time pressured
 Having conflicts with colleagues
 Commitment that leads to neglecting one’s own needs may also impact on feeling burnout
Preventing burnout
 Balance your life so work doesn’t become your sole focus;
 Take time out - take that yoga class or the art class you’ve always wanted to do;
 Make sure you have a healthy lifestyle; when you look after yourself physically
you are more able to manage stressors as they arise… so eat properly, make
your bedroom a sanctuary totally separate from work related activities and
exercise even if it’s a walk around the block;
 This is one of the hardest but learn to say “no”. Don’t over extend yourself - it doesn’t do you or anyone
else any good if it’s yet another thing you have to add to your ever growing list of things to do; it’s only
going to increase your stress levels;
 Meditate whenever you have the opportunity; take a mental health day and use your holidays.
Recovering from burnout
While the tips for preventing burnout are still helpful at this stage, recovery requires additional steps.
You’ll need to slow down, take a break, cut down your commitments so you can at least catch your breath
while you rest.
Get some support, be it from family and friends and/or from a professional. There’s a
tendency to want to isolate oneself from everyone but the best thing you can do is
surround yourself with those who care for you. Burnout doesn’t just happen, it’s an
accumulation of things over a period of time. Your body, in many ways, has been
sending signals that something is not right. When you finally reach burnout you can’t
take anymore both physically and mentally. Take this opportunity to reflect; are you on the right path? What
are your dreams? What are your goals? Learn about who you are and what makes you happy and then act
accordingly. It’s usually really helpful to have a professional to support you during this time.
If you think you are experiencing burnout or have noticed the early signs of burnout or any other work-related
issues, please free to call VDHP on 94956011.
Ms Carole Payton
Case Manager
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VDHP Newsletter
Issue 14 Summer 2015
The Importance of Having your own GP
Never say never, but none of us in the medical profession should ever be our own doctor - we all need and
deserve good independent and objective medical advice.
The General Practitioner is the best person to provide this. A good GP will get to know you as a person and be
able to take a holistic overview of your health needs however few or many they may be. It is not only
important to have your own GP, but also really important to have a GP with whom you feel comfortable enough
to share some of your inner-most thoughts and anxieties. Sometimes this means moving on from the family GP
that you’ve grown up with.
Choosing your GP can be a very personal decision and we all tend to look for different qualities or have a
preference for a certain style. However, there are some essential commonalities such as:
 someone who is comfortable in treating other members of the medical profession and may, from time-to-time,
be able to allocate you additional time, recognising that it’s hard making the transition from care giver to care
receiver;
 someone who treats you like a patient not a colleague - i.e. explains things to you as if you had no
knowledge, doesn’t leave you to arrange your own follow-up or expect you to know what to do just because
you’re in the profession.
Finding your GP can be a bit of a challenge, particularly if you’ve moved region or state. A personal
recommendation is always good; however, at VDHP we have a data-base of doctors who are good at treating
other doctors and who are happy to take on other doctors as patients. Some GPs on this data-base may have
participated in “Doctors for Doctors” type courses run by VDHP or other various doctors’ health programs. So if
you need to find a GP, please ring VDHP so we can recommend someone.
VDHP plan to run more “Doctors for Doctors” courses next year, so if you are a GP who is happy to look after
other doctors and would like to join one of these training sessions, please look out for further details or
contact VDHP and express your interest.
Dr Kym Jenkins
Medical Director
Support Group for Doctors with Substance Abuse Issues
One evening a week at an inner-city venue, a group of doctors sit down together and talk about
recovery from drug problems. They are part of ‘Caduceus’ – a VDHP support group for doctors with
substance use issues.
Whether a doctor’s substance abuse is the primary problem or whether it’s being used to try and
mask symptoms of mental health / stress / burnout, the Caduceus group provides medical practitioners with a
safe place where they can receive non-judgemental support. Group members share their experiences of
having addiction problems while being a member of the medical profession.
In publishing a paper about Caduceus we not only learned that doctors found the group to be an integral and
essential component of their ‘recovery’, but that they also highly valued that the group was specifically for the
medical profession.*
As Caduceus is not a 12-step program, some participants also attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics
Anonymous as part of their recovery program.
Access to Caduceus is via the VDHP. If you or someone you know is having problems with substance abuse
give us a call. We will be happy to discuss how Caduceus may be of benefit to you.
Ms Cheryl Wile
Case Manager
* Wile, C., & Jenkins, K. (2013). The value of a support group for medical professionals with substance use disorders. Australasian Psychiatry, 21(5),
481-485.
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VDHP Newsletter
Issue 14 Summer 2015
A message from the Chair of the VDHP Board
Dear reader,
Owing to the impact of funding cutbacks over the past few years, the Board of the Victorian Doctors Health
Program (VDHP) kindly requests that you consider making a donation to help enable the current work of
VDHP to continue.
VDHP is an independent organisation that was set up in 2001. It was established with the aim of
assisting doctors and medical students in accessing appropriate care for any health problems they may be
experiencing.
VDHP coordinates care for medical practitioners with health issues, ranging from stress, adjustment issues,
mental illness, substance use disorders to physical health problems. Over the years VDHP has helped many
doctors who have suspected they have a health condition and been unsure of what to do.
Doctors and medical students come to VDHP from a variety of sources but the majority refer themselves. The
assessment and care we provide is independent, compassionate and confidential. All doctors seen at VDHP
are strongly encouraged to have or are assisted in finding their own General Practitioner. If a doctor (or
student) has an illness that necessitated time away from the workplace VDHP can offer case management, to
coordinate ongoing care, ensure follow-up, and assistance with returning to work. VDHP also has a major
role in health promotion and runs many health education initiatives for doctors and medical students.
VDHP has been recognised as the preferred model for doctors’ health programs in Australia ( Governance of
External Doctors’ Health Programs; AHPRA on behalf of the MBA: DLA Piper Australia) and the outcomes of our case
management are comparable with world best practice (Wile, C., Frei M., & Jenkins, K. (2011). Doctors and medical
students case managed by an Australian Doctors’ Health Program: Characteristics and outcomes. Australasian Psychiatry, 19(3) 202205.)
More information about VDHP programs can be found at www.vdhp.org.au. You may already know about our
services; perhaps you or a colleague have been helped by VDHP in the past. Thus, we ask you to consider
making a donation so that these services to the medical community can continue and expand. Doctors’ health
is worth it.
Sincerely yours,
Dr Bill Pring on behalf of the VDHP Board Members
If you would like to make a donation, you can do so in the following ways:
Direct Deposit
Victorian Doctors Health Program
BSB: 063 114
Acct No: 1021 2493
Amount: $50 $100 $200 $Other
Cheque
Please make it out to: Victorian Doctors Health Program
Amount: $50 $100 $200 $Other
Email address (optional):
.............................................................................................................................................................................
Credit Card
And return this slip to:
Please provide your credit card number below
VDHP
Level 8, Aikenhead Building
Building E, 27 Victoria Pde
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Type of card: Visa Mastercard Amex
Name on card:
Card No:
Exp:
CCV No:
Amount of donation: $50 $100 $200 $Other
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VDHP Newsletter
ADVERTISEMENT
Issue 14 Summer 2015
Victorian Medical Insurance Agency Limited
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VDHP Newsletter
Issue 14 Summer 2015
Introducing the staff of VDHP
Dr Sandy Youren
MBBS, MPM, FRANZCP, Cert. Child
Adol, Psych (RANZCP)
GDipMentalHealthSci (Inf&ParMenHealth)
Senior Clinician
Dr Kym Jenkins
MB ChB, FRANZCP, MPM, MEd, GAICD
Medical Director
Ms Cheryl Wile
BSocSc(Psych); MApPsych; MAPS
Psychologist/Case Manager
Ms Carole Payton
BSocWork
Case Manger
Ms Shaan Lewis
BA; GDipMedia,IT&TelecomLaw; DipProfessionalWriting&Editing
Office Manager
VDHP would also like to thank Dr Antoinette Brennan & Mr John Campbell for the
invaluable roles they have in the provision of VDHP’s clinical services.
VDHP is proud to host this year’s Australasian Doctors’ Health Conference
Victorian Doctors Health Program ©
Level 8, Aikenhead Building, 27 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy VIC 3065 P: 9495 6011 F: 9495 6033 E: [email protected] W: www.vdhp.org.au
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