1. Which of the following statements is the most
true of stress and medical professionals?
A Stress in doctors is usually work-related
B The nature of medical work is inherently
stressful
C Because of their medical knowledge, doctors
use effective ways of handling stress
D Is not an illness as such - it is an imbalance
between the demands upon us and our ability to
cope.
Doctors’ health quiz
Dr Clare Rayner
MFOM
July 2015
Dr Emma Sahgal
2/15/2016
1
2/15/2016
2
2. Name 5 disorders, which in the UK, have higher
rates (and rising) in doctors c.f. general
population?
1. Which of the following statements is the most
true of stress and medical professionals?
A Stress in doctors is usually work-related
B The nature of medical work is inherently
stressful
C Because of their medical knowledge, doctors
use effective ways of handling stress
D Is not an illness as such - it is an imbalance
between the demands upon us and our ability to
cope.
2/15/2016
3
2. Name 5 disorders, which in the UK, have higher
rates (and rising) in doctors c.f. general
population?
3. Good mental health in doctors is strongly linked
to which of the following patient outcomes:
A Safe and better quality care
B Higher levels of patient satisfaction
C Patients take up much less of your time
D Fewer complaints from patients
E Fewer accidents/errors
F All of the above
G None of the above
Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
Depression
Anxiety
Suicide
Dept Health Mental health and Ill-health
in doctors 2008
2/15/2016
6
1
3. Good mental health in doctors is strongly linked
to which of the following patient outcomes:
A ‘Caring for the carers’-we are people too
B To be a ‘good example’ to patients
C Our employers are legally obliged to
prevent ill-health
D ‘Good Medical Practice’ (GMC)
document says we should
E All of the above
A Safe and better quality care
B Higher levels of patient satisfaction
C Patients take up much less of your time
D Fewer complaints from patients
E Fewer accidents/errors
F All of the above
G None of the above
2/15/2016
Firth-Cozens
7
4. Which of these is the most relevant statement
about why doctors should look after their mental
and physical health?
9
2/15/2016
10
6. Which of these is a typical
behaviour of ill doctors?
5. Which statement is True:
A The majority of doctors are registered
with a GP
B The majority of doctors rarely visit their
GP if ill
C Doctors rarely treat their families
D Treating their own families is safe and
objective
Various reports
8
A The majority of doctors are registered
with a GP
B The majority of doctors rarely visit their
GP if ill
C Doctors rarely treat their families
D Treating their own families is safe and
objective
E All of the above
2/15/2016
2/15/2016
5. Which statement is True:
A ‘Caring for the carers’-we are people too (‘The
Invisible Patients’)
B To be a ‘good example’ to patients - Discuss
C Our employers are legally obliged to prevent
ill-health
D ‘Good Medical Practice’ (GMC) document says
we should
2/15/2016
4. Which of these is the most relevant statement
about why doctors should look after their mental
and physical health?
A Lack of insight into own problems
B Request treatment only when illnesses
are severe
C 1/5 doctors use drugs/alcohol as coping
mechanism
D None of the above are typical
E All of the above are typical
11
2/15/2016
12
2
6. Which of these is a typical
behaviour of ill doctors?
7. Mental illness in the NHS environment is
aggravated by which of the following
A Lack of insight into own problems
B Request treatment only when illnesses
are severe
C 1/5 doctors use drugs/alcohol as coping
mechanism (DH 2008)
D None of the above are typical
E All of the above are typical
2/15/2016
Dept of Health Report 2008
13
A Rapid pace of change (political)
B LACK OF CONTROL over work demands and
environment
C Easy access to drugs
D Lack of support
E High work pressure
F All of these are relevant
G None of these are relevant
Various references
15
2/15/2016
16
9. Which is true of the following,
regarding self-prescribing/treatment
A Personality traits: perfectionistic, dependent,
neurotic, self-critical
B Conscientious, achievement orientated
C Sense of omnipotence, invulnerability to illness
D Caring for others, forgetting to care for
ourselves
E Hierarchical/macho attitudes and behaviours
F All of the above
G None of the above
Various references
14
A Personality traits: perfectionistic, dependent,
neurotic, self-critical
B Conscientious, achievement orientated
C Sense of omnipotence, invulnerability to illness
D Caring for others, forgetting to care for
ourselves
E Hierarchical/macho attitudes and behaviours
F All of the above
G None of the above
8. Which factors in doctors’ personalities lead to
more frequent, and/or more severe episodes of
psychiatric illness?
2/15/2016
2/15/2016
8. Which factors in doctors’ personalities lead to
more frequent, and/or more severe episodes of
psychiatric illness?
7. Mental illness in the NHS environment is
aggravated by which of the following
2/15/2016
A Rapid pace of change (political)
B LACK OF CONTROL over work demands and
environment
C Easy access to drugs
D Lack of support
E High work pressure
F All of these are relevant
G None of these are relevant
17
A Is illegal
B Is unethical
C Is not common
D Makes sense
E Helps your performance at work
2/15/2016
18
3
9. Which is true of the following,
regarding self-prescribing/treatment
A Is illegal
B Is unethical
C Is not common
D Makes sense
E Helps your performance at work
10. Doctors don’t seek help
because
A Denial
B Fear discrimination/stigmatisation
C Fear of the GMC & being struck off
D Guilt due to being off work
E Fear they won’t have confidentiality
F All of the above
G None of the above
2/15/2016
19
2/15/2016
10. Doctors don’t seek help
because
EVIDENCE
Medical work itself is not inherently stressful
Stressors outside work affect stressors in work
and vice versa
Bereavement and relationship breakdown commonest triggers for mental ill-health
presentation in doctors (Royal Medical
Benevolent Fund report 2010)
Be aware that if you are stressed in one area in
can affect you in other areas of your life
A Denial
B Fear discrimination/stigmatisation
C Fear of the GMC & being struck off
D Guilt due to being off work
E Fear they won’t have confidentiality
F All of the above
G None of the above
2/15/2016
20
21
2/15/2016
Mental health spectrum-where are you?
(Teasdale and Heron 1996)
22
Primary prevention
How do we maintain well-being?
Little is know about the specifics of what
keeps doctors well
But we know lots about people in general
Serious
mental illhealth
Medication
Referral to
specialist
2/15/2016
Depression
Support
schemes e.g.
Counselling
Medication?
Anxiety
‘Average’
Rehabilitation
Stress
management
Build skills
e.g.
Assertiveness
Well-being
and growth
Training
Good
performance
at work
Work/life
balance
Performance
management
23
varies between individuals
Social support
Close relationship
Religion
Self care – exercise, diet, things which relax you etc.
University run courses http://www.sport.manchester.ac.uk/fitness/wellb/
2/15/2016
24
4
Secondary + tertiary prevention
As per treatment of any patient with
mental illness – conditions are treatable
University run counselling http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/
counselling/
Will cover in year 4
2/15/2016
25
Support your colleagues by
Being sympathetic
Advising them to seek appropriate health
advice
Encourage them to attend appointments if
ill
2/15/2016
26
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
DEPARTMENTS ARE:
Confidential
Referral to e.g. Physio/counselling
Ease you back into work
Liaise with managers to make it easier
Educate managers about health problems
Adjustments
2/15/2016
27
5