Health and wellbeing

RACGP National New Fellows > Health and Wellbeing

Helping you take care of your own physical, mental, emotional and social health

Your career in general practice will be rewarding and fulfilling as you contribute to the good health of your patients and community. However, being a GP can also be challenging and stressful, especially during the early years of your career.

This can contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems among doctors, and that medical professionals can be reluctant to access mental health services.

We encourage you to take care of your own physical, mental, emotional and social health and seek support when you need it. We’ve developed a range of events, resources and services to help GPs manage their self-care and mental wellbeing.

John Murtagh Library

As an RACGP member, you have access to a huge range of information and resources from the eBook central collection of the John Murtagh Library. Just log in to the RACGP website and follow the links.
 

Hassed C. The Essence of Health: The Seven Pillars of Wellbeing. Ebury Australia, 2008.

"A life with little illness and pain, being well, without doctors or hospitals - it s all possible."

Hasson G, Butler D. Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Employers and Employees. Capstone, 2020.

Provides guidance for both employers and staff on promoting positive mental health and supporting those experiencing mental ill health in the workplace

Lynch J. A Whole Person Approach to Wellbeing: Building Sense of Safety. Routledge, 2020.

This book builds on the person-centred medicine movement to promote a shift in the philosophy of care of distress.

Rowe L. Every Doctor: Healthier Doctors = Healthier Patients. CRC Press, 2018.

"A life with little illness and pain, being well, without doctors or hospitals - it s all possible."

First Do No Harm

'First, Do No Harm' reframes the traditional doctors' rule, showing that it should apply not only to patients, but also to doctors' themselves. 

Generally Speaking podcast

Dr Gill Singleton and Dr Billy Stoupas discuss current and emerging challenges in general practice

Support for rural and remote GPs

Events and resources aimed specifically at new GPs in rural, regional and remote areas

DRS4DRS

State/territory phone numbers for confidential advice and resources for GPs across Australia

GP Health

A collection of support resources for GPs, including:

GP in training wellbeing

On this particular page, you will find helpful resources that will be updated regularly as well as wellness tips/tricks and events where we can connect in ‘virtual community’.

RACGP General Practice Management Toolkit – Managing the Wellbeing of Staff and Self

Managing the wellbeing of staff and self

General Practice Registrars Australia

A wellbeing checklist for doctors

Broaden Your Career Options

The RACGP opens the door to a world of professional possibilities, from specialising in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, helping prepare the GPs of tomorrow, furthering the profession through research or running your own practice.