Acknowledging the effect that our work and personal challenges can have on us is important
This is a collection of resources intended to help pain doctors support their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues, particularly in light of the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Wellbeing and the pain doctor
As anaesthetists and pain specialists, our experience is diverse, ranging from managing major emergencies at two o’clock in the morning, to helping patients to accept and cope with mental and physical health challenges which affect their lives for decades.
By considering our own pressures, as well as those experienced by our colleagues, we may be able to optimise the wellbeing of ourselves and those around us and therefore provide the best care for our patients.
Maintaining good relationships with our teams and those around us continues to be an important aim and needs consideration at a time when we are feeling tired and stressed. The last few years have posed significant challenges to us all. It is even more important now that we take time to rest and recharge.
The following is a list of resources which have been compiled to help. Click on each area to learn more.
If you have any suggestions for additional resources please email contact@fpm.ac.uk.
Please note: the FPM bears no responsibility for the content of external websites.
Sexual misconduct
Recent research published in the British Journal of Surgery, has revealed the extent of reported sexual misconduct by colleagues within the UK surgical workforce. This national survey found that two-thirds of female workforce (63.3%) reported having been the target of sexual harassment from colleagues at some point, nearly a quarter of male (23.7%) reported the same.
These findings are shocking and have generated significant media discussion and debate at the time. If you are being subjected to any such behaviour, please speak up. There are Royal College Educational Supervisors and Faculty Tutors within your workplace who may be able to provide you with advice and support as required. Other sources of support would include your NHS Trust’s Medical Director and the Freedom to Speak up Guardian within your Trust. If you would like to talk to someone in confidence and / or report such behaviour to the Faculty of Pain Medicine, please do contact us on the email: contact@fpm.ac.uk
Reference:
BMJ 2023;382:p2090
The GMC has also published new resources to support victims and survivors of sexual misconduct by doctors. ‘What to do if you think you have been subject to sexual misconduct by a doctor’ explains sexual misconduct, how to raise a concern, what to expect from an investigation and what organisations can provide support.
Returning to Work Guidance
Together with the RCoA we have published the 2024 edition of our guidance on returning to work after a period of absence. It provides doctors and depeartments with a framework to work collaboratively to ensure a supportive and successful return to work.
Wellbeing resources
Information on emergency contacts, physical and mental wellbeing, fatigue, suicide prevention, mentoring and career support.
The GMC provides a link to a range of resources across the UK that can support doctors’ wellbeing.
These wellbeing support services are open to all doctors and medical students, regardless of BMA membership, as well as their partners and dependants aged 16-24. They're confidential and free of charge.
This NHS service has expertise in treating healthcare professionals. The service can help with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The service is free and confidential.
- Occupational Health and GP
Mindfulness
Headspace is a mindfulness and meditation app, which aims to help reduce stress. Use your NHS email to redeem your free subscription
Calm is an app focused on sleep, meditation and relaxation. As a start, try the short 10 min meditation, and try both male and female voices.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs and provides one way of thinking about wellbeing.
Sleep
Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing. Use your NHS email to redeem your free subscription.
Sleepio is a clinically-evidenced sleep improvement programme that uses cognitive behavioural techniques to help improve poor sleep. Use the code NHS2020 to redeem your free subscription.
Daylight is an app that helps with symptoms of worry and anxiety. Use your NHS email to redeem your free subscription.
Silvercloud is an online CBT based package from Let’s Talk with resources on resilience, stress and sleep. It's currently free for NHS staff and their families.
- Getting the most out of Outlook: Best Practice Guide
- Psychologically savvy conversations: Healthcare workers training in psychological first aid
PHE have developed a free online course for responders, available to frontline workers and volunteers dealing with the public during the coronavirus pandemic. The course enables responders to develop their skills and confidence in providing key psychological support to people affected by coronavirus, including on issues such as job worries, bereavement or isolation as they carry out their vital work as part of the ongoing coronavirus response.
- Trauma risk management (TRiM)
This is a method of secondary PTSD (and other traumatic stress related mental health disorders) prevention. TRiM training provides TRiM Practitioners with a background understanding of psychological trauma and its effects. It is a trauma-focused peer support system and the way it works is wholly compliant with the PTSD management guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Care and Excellence.
The Faculty runs a mentoring & buddying programme, which was established to provide support for doctors within Pain Medicine who may want support in one particular area or in several areas, for example, clinical practice, research, managing a service or professional work/life balance. Mentoring and buddying relationships are often mutually beneficial with both parties having the potential to learn, increase confidence and support and enhance their practice.
- Educational supervision: Professional Support & Wellbeing for HEE South West
Tailte Breffni and Lyn Hodgson-Watts developed this presentation for HEE South West (shared with permission) which contains a lot of information for personal wellbeing and support for trainees.
Do you have any additional resources to submit?
If so, please get in touch with us.
