RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey
Introduction
The health and wellbeing of all RANZCP members remains a central focus for
our College.
The Membership Engagement Committee is supported by the Member
Wellbeing Subcommittee in working towards this goal.
As part of a College-wide focus in 2020 on member wellbeing and support,
the Subcommittee undertook a large-scale quantitative and qualitative survey to
better understand and identify member health and wellbeing issues of concern,
and to help inform future College activities and programs.
Through the survey we have been able to:
• identify key issues of immediate member concern
• obtain direct data from members to help inform the Member Wellbeing
Subcommittee’s future wellbeing work plan and operational activities
• track responses since the College’s last major wellbeing survey, and generate
a benchmark wellbeing dataset of the College membership that is capable of
being replicated and relied upon for future wellbeing studies
• gather feedback on the College’s wellbeing response to COVID-19 and the
projects and services it has delivered
• plan any future collection of additional qualitative data – for example
through local (Branch/NZ) focus groups, and/or open forums of members
interested in discussing wellbeing issues.
We were delighted by the survey response in a time of great uncertainty and
very evident work load pressures and thank all members for their participation.
We look forward to progressing this important work together.
Dr Prue McEvoy
Chair, Member Wellbeing Subcommittee
August 2021
2 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
About this survey
The survey attracted 1202 responses general themes were identified and
from members (a response rate of then broadly clustered. Select quotes
18.5%). Respondents were broadly that represent common responses are
representative of the College incorporated with the data collected.
membership, across gender, location
The College last conducted a similar
and member type.
survey into member wellbeing in
The survey was open between 28 November 2014.1 This study received
September – 4 November 2020, 1056 responses from members
with 6482 College members asked at a rate of 20.35%. Comparison
to share their views, reflections and data from the 2014 welfare study is
perceptions on their health and provided in this report.
wellbeing. The survey cohort included
Percentages expressed in this report
all Fellows (excluding retired), Trainees,
are representative of the total
Affiliate Members and non-member
response within that question only
SIMGs. Members based overseas were
and are not to be taken as a portion
not asked to complete the survey.
of the total number of the 1202
In analysing free text responses overall survey respondents.
(questions 9, 11, 13 – 16, 25 and 27),
1. The final report to this survey is the Membership Engagement Committee study into the welfare of psychiatrists and trainees (March 2016).
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 3Who responded?
Country of primary practice
Australia New Zealand
1019 84.78% 183 15.22%
NT QLD
1.18% 19%
WA NSW
6.89% 30.02%
SA ACT
9.15% 2.46%
VIC
28.54% TAS NZ
2.76% 15.22%
Member type
Fellow Trainee (Associate) The survey was not
65.30% 25.67% provided to retired
781 307 Fellows, however
2.68% respondents
(32) indicated they are
retired Fellows who
had not previously
(Retired) notified the College of
their retirement.
Affiliate member or overseas Fellow (retired)
trained psychiatrist
2.68%
6.35% 32
76
4 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsPractice setting
Public practice
41.95%
357
Private practice
34.43%
293
Both public and 23.62%
private practice 201
Trainees - stage of training
Stage one
10.75%
33
Stage two
32.90%
101
Stage three
45.28%
139
Break in training
11.07%
34
0 to 4 years 20 years Other/
or more non-binary
12.46% Prefer not
106 48.65% to say 0.76%
414 1.85% 9
22
5 to 9 Time
years working in Gender
12.22% psychiatry identity
104
Male
10 to 19 years Female 44.12%
26.67% 53.28% 525
227 634
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 5Career stage No
15.58%
reflections 180
Members were asked if they are doing the type of
Are you doing
work they would like to be doing at this stage of their
careers.
the type of work
you would like to be
Private practice psychiatrists tended to be more positive doing at this stage
about doing the type of work that they would like to be of your career?
doing at this stage in their careers at 90.1%, compared Yes
to public practice psychiatrists with 83.71% answering 84.42%
positively. Those working in a combination were slightly
higher at 85.5%. 975
“I would like to be working in the area
Members were also asked what they would like that I am interested in however have
to be different: been allocated elsewhere based on
service needs rather than my own
To be working in a different career progression”
33.33%
subspecialty/area
To have a reduced workload or
14.68%
less hours, or less on call hours “Less work pressure, less paperwork, more
Would like to complete/finish human interaction”
training requirements for 10.73%
Fellowship
Would like more support 7.90% “Less stress and more support
Would like to do more research or for psychiatrists who have been
6.21%
academic work working over 10 years to help
Would like to be in a supervisory, them avoid burnout”
training, teaching or management 5.64%
position
Would like to be doing a different
4.51% “Doing some work in the public and
mix of public and private work private, am missing the variety of
Would like to do less admin 3.95% teaching, collegiality, teamwork
and involvement in management.
Would like more resources 3.38% Working privately only, can be
Would like to leave psychiatry 1.69% at times like working in a factory
alongside an assembly line”
Want more time with patients 1.69%
Currently not working but want
1.69%
to be “More clinical freedom without
administrative restrictions”
6 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsHighest rated stressors
There was a high perceived workload for all psychiatrists (both public and private) and trainees in 2020 – this was
rated as the highest stressor for respondents in the last 12 months.
The 2020 survey did not enquire if COVID alone was the sole causative factor for increased workload issues,
however a safe assumption can likely be made as its impacts did change and elevate service needs for many Fellows
and trainees.
Similarly, the survey did not enquire if COVID-attributable workplace stressors or feelings of dissatisfaction were
higher in the last 12 months, and future studies may wish to consider this.
The top four categories of responses received were:
Too much work
Emotional
to do in limited
exhaustion
time
49.56% 44.99%
564 512
COVID-19 Paperwork
pandemic
41.92%
42.97% 477
489
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 7The published literature on doctors’ health identifies Responses from psychiatrists working in private practice
several categories of significant stressors for doctors. identified the following biggest stressors in the last 12
months they experienced.
Members were asked to select up to 10 answers that
they felt were the biggest stressors in their working
lives over the last 12 months. STRESSOR RESPONSES
Paperwork 46.34%
STRESSOR RESPONSES
COVID-19 pandemic 45.64%
Too much work to do in limited time 49.56%
Patients who are difficult to manage 44.60%
Emotional exhaustion 44.99%
Emotional exhaustion 40.77%
COVID-19 pandemic 42.97%
CPD requirements 39.37%
Paperwork 41.92%
Too much work to do in limited time 37.63%
Patients who are difficult to manage 37.43%
Intrusion of work on family life 34.49%
Negative organisational culture 35.68%
Time pressure to see patients 31.71%
Intrusion of work on family life 35.59%
Personal life stress 27.53%
Time pressure to see patients 34.53%
Unrealistic community expectations 29.61%
Personal life stress 27.42% The same question was asked in the 2014 study
with respondents asked to rank 1 – 10 their
Excessive overtime or long work
27.24% highest rated stressors in the last 12 months.
hours
The 2020 survey allowed respondents to select
Training and assessment requirements 24.87%
all options that applied, and results were not
Low morale 24.78% ranked in the same way as the 2014 survey.
Electronic medical records being
22.85% WEIGHTED
added to ‘paperwork’ ANSWER CHOICES
SCORE
Earning enough money 17.84% Too much work to do in
8.08
limited time
CPD requirements 17.66%
Paperwork 6.87
Stigma towards psychiatry as a
16.52%
profession Patients who are difficult to
6.68
manage
Patient suicide 16.26%
Intrusion of work on family
Threat of litigation 15.38% 6.21
life
Safety and violence (including Time pressure to see patients 6.17
15.29%
occupational violence)
Threat of litigation 5.15
Political issues 13.71%
Earning enough money 5.10
Existential angst 11.78%
Unrealistic community
Negative media comments 8.08% 4.87
expectations
The cost of practice overheads 8.00% The cost of practice
2.98
overheads
Prospect of re-certification 7.12%
Negative media comments 2.92
Gender bias 6.59%
Racism 5.71%
Threats/stalking 4.31%
8 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsAdditional significant stressors recently experienced
Members were also asked to list any additional significant stressors that they had experienced recently, identifying
the following:
Workplace stressors (69) 16.01%
Workload (51) 11.83%
Bullying (46) 10.67%
Exams and training (41) 9.51%
Under-resourced
(35) 8.12%
workplace
Illness (30) 6.96%
Issues with management
(27) 6.26%
or supervision
Isolation (23) 5.33%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%
Members were also “Interpersonal difficulties/team “College exams
asked to list any dynamics” especially the written
additional significant style essay exams”
stressors that they
had experienced “COVID has increased work
recently, identifying significantly and the patients “Bullying behaviour
the following: are more distressed” amongst managers and
peers”
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 9Trainee stressors
Trainee responses (comprising 25.67% or 307 changes to exams, or uncertainty surrounding exam
respondents) focused on the compounding impact changes, to highlight general dissatisfaction with a
of changes to College training assessments and range of assessment elements, from the assessment/
examinations as a point of stress, with the essay training requirements model, the essay format, to
exam highlighted (this was also the case for SIMG communication by the College about the changes.
respondents). Relevantly, 45.28% (139) respondents
It is worth noting the timing of the 2020 survey in
were stage three trainees, the largest trainee survey
relation to the College’s assessments last year.
cohort.
In October 2020, the Essay Exam and MCQ assessment
Training hurdles and examinations were rated stressful
were both taking place, with the OSCE held later in
‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ for trainees.
November but with a reduced number of trainees
The more detailed responses made references to participating. In November 2014 only the OSCE took place.
Trainee stressors were considered in the 2014 study with the question ‘how stressful are
the following for you at this stage of your career?’
Not at all Moderately Extremely Not
stressful stressful stressful applicable
Training
hurdles
26.94% 23.11% 10.84% 39.10% Total
246 211 99 357 913
Examinations 26.92% 12.20% 15.82% 45.05% Total
245 111 144 410 910
Prospect of
revalidation
31.05% 36.17% 7.52% 25.27% Total
285 332 69 232 918
These results can be compared with the 2020 survey question ‘As a current trainee, how
stressful are the following for you at this stage of your career?’
None of Some of Most of All of the
the time the time the time time
Training
hurdles
4.67% 45.33% 29.33% 20.67% Total
14 136 88 62 300
Examinations 7.69% 30.10% 31.11% 29.10% Total
23 90 99 87 299
10 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsWork–life balance
“It has been mostly balanced with
Despite workload being the strongest stressor identified, occasional periods of poor balance
respondents’ subjective feelings of appropriate work–life until the pandemic hit this year, when
balance were generally reported positively. the needs in the community increased
‘Mostly balanced with occasional periods of poor balance’ so much and as a psychiatrist I felt
was the strongest response to this question with 27.96% I had to take on more work. Then I
(324 responses) followed by ‘mostly balanced’ with felt it has become poorly balanced
21.14% (245 responses). The negative categories of sometimes”
‘sometimes poorly balanced’ (18.55%), ‘often poorly
balanced’ (16.31%) and the most severe option of ‘usually
poorly balanced’ (9.66%) did trend down the sliding scale,
“Not possible to have work–life
which was somewhat reassuring.
balance when you are a doctor and
Mostly balanced with occasional also have children”
27.96%
periods of poor balance
Mostly balanced 21.14%
“Have cut back on work hours due to
Sometimes poorly balanced 18.55%
impending burnout – thus mostly
Often poorly balanced 16.31% balanced now”
Usually poorly balanced 9.66%
Other 4.66% “Working from home has blurred
Never 1.73% things this year. Also, things have felt
“more urgent” to colleagues this year
Respondents’ subjective perception of their own work–life and intruded into my personal time.”
balance aligned closely with the next question about what
they subjectively thought a loved one or family member
would say about their work–life balance, with 25.8% “Members of my family have suffered
(299 responses) selecting ‘mostly balanced with occasional due to my absence from the home;
periods of poor balance’. the direct result of the hours I have
The general trend of public and private psychiatrists’ own had to work both in the workplace
self-assessment of work–life balance was relatively similarly and at home which included most
represented. weekends”
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 11Members were also asked to assess what would a loved Members identified the following activities that
one, such as a family member, friend or partner, say they regularly use as a means of relaxation/way
about their work–life balance: to unwind:
Top response
Mostly balanced with occasional
25.80%
periods of poor balance
Sometimes poorly balanced 22.26%
Often poorly balanced 17.77%
Mostly balanced 16.22%
Usually poorly balanced 13.46% Catching up with friends/
Other 2.67% family/children
Never 1.81%
72.65%
Catching up with friends/
72.65%
“Have had very limited ability to do the family/children
above in 2020 as a result of excessive Physical activity 68.85%
workload and on-calls, limited
TV/movies/streamed content/
available activities due to COVID and internet/social media/video 66.35%
training requirements including formal games
education course requirements”
Reading 56.00%
Travel/holidays/weekends
55.48%
away
Listening to music 48.06%
Gardening 37.79%
Arts and theatre 27.09%
Meditation/yoga/being in a
quiet space for a period after 26.75%
work/formal relaxation
Other 15.70%
Don't have the opportunity to
8.63%
regularly relax or unwind
12 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsFactors that assist in getting support
Having helpful colleagues was rated highest when Members identified the following factors as generally
seeking support to maintain wellbeing when seeking the most helpful when seeking support to maintain
support to maintain wellbeing (for all member groups) their wellbeing:
with 81.08% (947 respondents), followed by peer
review with 57.53% (672 respondents) and then Helpful colleagues 81.08%
supervision at 41.61% (486 respondents).
Peer review 57.53%
Beyond colleagues and peers, family and friends rated
highly as a helpful factor with 42.5% followed by Supervision 41.61%
personal therapy/psychotherapy at 14.98% from the
Clear lines of clinical responsibility 31.34%
204 clustered free text responses.
Aligning with this, ‘catching up with friends/family/ Mentoring 19.61%
children’ was also the most selected option regularly Networking opportunities 19.01%
used by members as a means of relaxation or to unwind
at 72.65% (842 respondents), followed by more Other 17.47%
individual activities and options like physical activity,
Congress or other conferences 17.21%
movies, television or reading to follow.
Directors of Training 9.25%
Not having an opportunity was in the minority at only
8.63%, but it was still a concerning amount as 100
respondents selected this option.
Top 3 factors
Helpful colleagues Peer review Supervision
81.08% 57.53% 41.61%
947 respondents 672 respondents 486 respondents
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 13For members who selected ‘other’ when identifying
what factors are generally most helpful when seeking
support to maintain their wellbeing:
42.5% “Family and friends, most of whom
are also medical professionals
identified that support from
who understand the stressors
family and friends was most
helpful for them.
related to medical work”
14.98% “Ongoing personal therapy, leave,
outside interests, family and
maintaining a good work-life
indicated personal therapy/
psychotherapy was most balance”
helpful for them.
“Separating work and leisure time
5.81%
more consciously – a little more
difficult when working from home
had other hobbies and and no/few opportunities to go out
interests outside work that to do things”
was most helpful for them.
Private practice psychiatrists identified these factors as
The 2014 survey compared quite similarly when
being most helpful to them when seeking support to
members were asked about what work-related
maintain their wellbeing in response to the 2020 survey:
factors they recognised as key supports or enablers
of maintaining their wellbeing at work:
Peer review 79.02%
Helpful colleagues 94% Helpful colleagues 78.67%
Peer review 75.25% Supervision 29.02%
Clear lines of responsibility 70.88% Congress or other conferences 23.43%
Supervision 61.07% Other 19.93%
Mentoring 43.18% Networking opportunities 18.53%
Congress/other conferences 37.95% Mentoring 9.44%
Networking opportunities 36.86% Clear lines of responsibility 8.74%
14 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsHealth concerns
55.23% of respondents (639) indicated that they had The data on whether public or private psychiatrists had
experienced health concerns in the last 12 months, and experienced any health concerns in the last 12 months
of that group 46.8% indicated that this required them was similarly represented. Public psychiatrists were
to take time off. more likely to take time off for their health concerns
(49.75%) over private psychiatrists (40.26%).
Although this question did not pinpoint the nature or
seriousness of health concerns, responses to how much A higher percentage of private psychiatrists said that it
time members needed to take off were generally at the was ‘very difficult’ (19.57%) or ‘difficult’ (34.16%) to
lesser-end of the scale, with 40.46% (123 respondents) take time off when compared to public psychiatrists,
needing to take up to one week off, and a further who reported that it was ‘very difficult’ (8.52%) or
20.72% (63 respondents) needing to take one to two ‘difficult’ (30.68%) to take time off. Similarly, a larger
weeks off. 13.81% (42 respondents) needed to take proportion of public psychiatrists noted that it was
more than four weeks off. COVID-19 infections of ‘easy’ (31.25%) to take time off, when compared with
members and associated time off was not surveyed. private psychiatrists (23.13%).
Members were asked if, in the last 12 Of that group that answered ‘yes’, they
months, they experienced any health were further asked if their health concerns
concerns, responding as follows: required them to take any time off work:
Yes Currently Yes
55.23% taking time 46.80%
639 off work 300
Health
6.08%
concerns 39 Time off
in the last 12 work
months
No No
44.77% 47.11%
518 302
Members who experienced health concerns in the last The 2014 survey enquired about members’ health
12 months took the following amount of time off: in a different way.
Respondents were asked if they had any current
CLUSTERED TIME PERIOD PERCENTAGE health problems (physical or mental) that
Took up to one week off 40.46% significantly limit their role as a psychiatrist.
8.42% (77) responded ‘yes’, with 91.58% (838)
Took one to two weeks off 20.72%
responding ‘no’.
Took three to four weeks off 21.05% Respondents were further asked if they had
such problems in the past, with 21.69% (198)
Took more than four weeks off 13.81%
responding ‘yes’ and 78.31% (715) responding
‘no’.
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 15Taking time off from work
Members indicated they are planning on taking the
following amount of time off:
CLUSTERED TIME PERIOD PERCENTAGE
Plan on taking 1 week off 10.81%
Plan on taking 2-3 weeks off 18.91%
Plan on taking 1 month off 8.01%
Plan on taking more than 2 months off 27.02%
Reduced caseload or hours 8.01%
Respondents generally experienced that it was harder to take time off from work when they are unwell than it was
easy, with 30.93% (347 respondents) indicating it was ‘difficult’ to take time off, and 13.10% (147 respondents)
saying it was ‘very difficult’ to take time off.
Members were asked to rate how difficult or easy it was for them to take time off work:
Ease of taking time off for personal health
Very easy (80) 7.13%
Easy (287) 25.58%
It varies/depends on
(261) 23.26%
circumstances
Difficult (347) 30.93%
Very difficult (147) 13.10%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Members then identified the following barriers to taking time off work:
Lack of appropriate backfill 51.52%
The same barriers to taking time off featured heavily
Fear of letting the team down 48.22% in the 2014 survey, albeit with a smaller sample size
Attitude of 'soldier on' 44.03% of respondents to this qualitative question.
No slack in the system e.g. short staffed 36.27% The highest-ranked category of responses (104)
identified a ‘general difficulty/letting the team down/
Guilt 35.56%
soldiering on/short staffed/stigma’ in their responses.
Challenges of private practice 28.97%
The study found that:
Self-stigma 15.69%
‘…the key theme in many of the responses was
Lack of supportive work environment 10.96% the difficulties associated with taking time
Perceived stigma 10.25% off, particularly in relation to ‘letting the team
No barriers 9.27%
down’ and the amount of work which will need
to be completed upon their return to work.’
Lack of supportive supervisor 5.26%
16 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsBarriers to help seeking
When asked to identify the main barriers to seeking trust, privacy’ (5.29%, 61 respondents), ‘concern
assistance in relation to their wellbeing, ‘time’ was over AHPRA and mandatory reporting’ (2.25%, 26
the largest reported clustered theme (32.12%, 370 respondents) as well as ‘distrust or lack of faith in the
respondents). However, balanced against this it was system’ (1.04%,12 respondents).
also positive to see that ‘no barriers’ was second only to
The highest-rated response to members’ self-perceived
‘time’ (18.22%, 210 respondents).
difficulty in talking with another medical practitioner
Negative perceptions, or fear of stigmatisation for about their own health concerns was that it was neither
being unwell or for seeking help for health concerns difficult nor easy to do, with 37.41% of respondents
was also apparent but was not observed as a dominant selecting this as the dominant response. ‘Easy’ and
trend (13.19%, 152 respondents), however it was ‘very easy’ combined to be higher at 36.12% (416
an underlying concern for a number of free text respondents) compared to ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’
responses that highlighted other factors as well. For combining at 26.47% percent (305 respondents).
example, there were associated categories that could
Public psychiatrists generally found it more difficult to
be identified within this theme which included ‘shame
talk to another medical practitioner about their own
or guilt about seeking help’ (1.12%, 13 respondents) or
health concerns. They found it ‘very difficult’ (7.95%)
‘reluctance to be a patient’ (1.73%, 20 respondents).
or ‘difficult’ (19.32%), which was above private
The clustered categories addressing issues of practitioners who said it was ‘very difficult’ (4.27%) or
institutional, workplace or regulatory trust and ‘difficult’ (15.66%) to a lesser extent. ‘Neither easy nor
support did feature, but were not highly selected by difficult’ was the most prevalent response for public
respondents. These included ‘issues of confidentiality, (40.63%) and private (37.37%) practice psychiatrists.
Largest reported barrier Balanced against this and
for seeking assistance: second to ‘time’ was:
Time No barriers
32.12% 18.22%
370 210
“Time off in working “None, I manage my health and
hours to see a doctor” well-being very conscientiously as
obligation to myself and my patients. If
I am not in reasonable shape, how can
I be of value to my patients?”
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 17Members identified the following main barriers to seeking assistance in relation to their wellbeing:
Time 32.12%
“Stigma of illness in the
No barriers 18.22% medical profession”
Perceived stigma 13.19%
Issues of confidentiality/ trust/
5.29% “Confidentiality as I work in a small rural
privacy
community where everyone knows everyone”
Workload and understaffing 3.12%
‘Soldier on’ attitude 2.95%
“Short staffing – when I take time
Denial or avoidance 2.77%
off, other people have to do my
Access to services 2.77% work in addition to theirs.”
Self-minimising issues 2.43%
Management/supervision 2.34% “Availability of professionals to speak to”
Concerns over AHPRA and mandatory
2.25%
reporting
Reluctance to be a patient 1.73%
“Lack of supportive work environment”
Shame or guilt about seeking help 1.12%
Personal GP 1.12% “Prospect of Medical Board intervention”
Distrust or lack of faith in the system 1.04%
“I am a medical practitioner – ‘Time’ was also the biggest barrier to seeking assistance in
my role is to fix others’ health, relation to wellbeing in 2014.
not waste time and resources The top areas from the qualitative responses to that survey are as
on my own. Wasting other follows:
doctors’ time to look after
me takes them away from
other patients, which is the
only priority. I feel very guilty Lack of time 276/688 40%
if I seek any health assistance Problems with the psychiatrists’ own
172/688 25%
personally – if I can’t fix it attitude or psychological willingness
myself, then it should be a Problems with workplace including
matter of toughing it out” excessive work, shift work, inflexible
162/688 23.5%
routines, management and or
collegial behaviour
Family obligations, of which a
“Admitting I need help” significant minority referred to having 56/688 8.6%
children
Concerns about confidentiality or
46/688 6.7%
privacy
No barriers 43/688 6.25%
18 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsTalking to another medical
practitioner
Members were asked how difficult it was for them to talk to another medical practitioner about their own health
concerns:
Very easy (92) 7.99%
Easy (324) 28.13%
It varies/depends on
(431) 37.41%
circumstances
Difficult (221) 19.18%
Very difficult (84) 7.29%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Not aware
27.95%
Members were asked if they were
aware of any other doctors' health or
322 Awareness
of local
other health/medical services in their medical
local area that they could access to support
address any health concerns. services Aware
72.05%
830
The 2020 survey results suggested an improvement their own health concerns, there was a marked
on general knowledge of doctors’ health/medical negative decline since the 2014 survey.
services available in members’ areas from the 2014
Of the 828 respondents to the 2014 survey question
survey.
‘how difficult is it to talk to your GP about your own
Of the 905 respondents to that question in 2014, health concerns?’, 23.43% responded ‘very easy’
only 56% answered ‘yes’ with 44% answering ‘no’. and 58.82% responded ‘easy’. Whereas ‘difficult’
It should be noted that the question in 2014 was 16.43% and ‘very difficult’ 1.33% scored much
slightly different, asking if members were aware of lower. Again, there was a slight change in wording
any other support services in their local area they from the 2014 question from GP to ‘another medical
could access to address their health concerns. practitioner’ however this alone likely does not offset
this negative change.
However, on the question of self-perceived difficulty
in talking with another medical practitioner about
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 19Support from the College
The College has offered members a range of services and supports during COVID-19. Members were asked which
were most helpful to them during that time.
Continuing professional development Information from your local College
34.65% 14.74%
and webinars Branch/National Office
Weekly updates from the RANZCP None of the above 11.84%
32.46%
President
Clinical guidance and answers to
Advocacy (e.g. Medicare items) 25.00% 10.61%
Frequently Asked Questions
Have not used these resources 22.37% Practice support information 6.67%
Information about training changes 21.23% RANZCP COVID-19 library 6.14%
Information about exam/assessment Membership services and fees
20.61% 2.98%
changes assistance
Self-care, wellbeing services and peer MEC open Zoom forums for members 2.89%
14.82%
support networks
There were differences between public and private practice psychiatrists on which member services and supports
were most valuable to them during COVID-19, with advocacy being strongly supported by private practice
members (49.1%, 137 respondents).
CPD and webinars, as well as weekly updates from the
RANZCP President featured strongly in both sets of data.
PUBLIC PRIVATE
CPD and webinars 38.90% Advocacy (e.g. Medicare items) 49.10%
Have not used these resources 29.39% Weekly updates from the RANZCP
48.39%
President
Weekly updates from the RANZCP
26.80% CPD and webinars 41.22%
President
Information about training changes 19.02% Information from local College
19.71%
Branch/National Office
Information from local College
14.41% Have not used these resources 17.56%
Branch/National Office
Self-care, wellbeing services and peer Self-care, wellbeing services and peer
13.26% 16.13%
support networks support networks
None of the above 12.68% Clinical guidance and answers to
13.98%
Frequently Asked Questions
Advocacy (e.g. Medicare items) 10.37%
Practice support information 12.54%
RANZCP COVID-19 library 9.22%
None of the above 8.96%
Clinical guidance and answers to
6.34% RANZCP COVID-19 library 3.58%
Frequently Asked Questions
20 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsMembers were also asked to share any thoughts about
how the College can better support the health and “A formal review of the essay style
wellbeing of members. examination – too difficult and
stressful. No correlation between
being a good clinician and passing
Top response the exam”
“Current support seems well
considered and appropriate”
“Generally, I think the College does share
a lot of info, promotes help seeking,
Support for trainees/ advertises how to access support. Self-
examination changes issues stigma is the biggest barrier so some
14.38% focus on addressing that would be good
e.g. stories of colleagues who have
needed and sought help and the positive
Support for trainees/examination
outcome”
14.38%
changes issues
Pleased with College and doing a
11.31%
good job “Advocate for meaningful systemic change
Engage in advocacy for reform 9.21% in the health care sector”
Increase links/access to mentoring/
peer support/career advice/social 5.17%
media groups “Have robust and obvious channels
Relaxation of CPD requirements/CME/ to facilitate members and students
4.73%
Clinical updates feedback finding peer and mentoring support”
Communications feedback to College
3.07%
(positive and negative)
Enhance access to medical/mental “Work to decrease prejudice and
health services for doctors & work
2.71% promote our professional standing”
to reduce stigma and negative
perceptions of psychiatry
New ideas for webinars/workshops 2.36%
“Good, comprehensive and timely
Workplace changes such as: load/
hours/conditions
2.28% communication to Fellows and
trainees. In saying this, I think the
An improved or better response/ communication has been pretty good”
2.10%
services provided by the College
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 21Next steps
The Membership Engagement Committee and the Member Wellbeing
Subcommittee are now progressing this report, including through the
development of recommendations and an appropriate action plan for the
RANZCP Board. As this work continues, we will continue advancing our work in
this area by:
Publishing this Consulting with key College committees
report, and and stakeholder groups, seeking feedback
sharing it with on the results and the broader issues they
members. highlight, as well as ideas for the future.
Communicating further with members
who indicated via this survey that they
would like to be a part of a wider group
supporting projects and activities in
member wellbeing.
22 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of PsychiatristsInviting views from members Encouraging members
on practical measures the to use and refer to our
College can implement in the Member Wellbeing
short to medium term. Support Hub.
Continuing to mainstream Maintaining
wellbeing discussions within communication with
the College (e.g. at Congress) members about
and leveraging public wellbeing and self-care
campaigns to maintain general strategies.
visibility and awareness (e.g.
Mental Health Week).
RANZCP member wellbeing: Findings from our 2020 survey 23Head Office 309 La Trobe Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia T +61 (0)3 9640 0646 F +61 (0)3 9642 5652 E membership@ranzcp.org
You can also read
