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Health: help for doctors and dentists
Overview
It's known that doctors and dentists do not make good patients, and
often invoke their own rules regarding their ill health management.
Justification for this approach has included a desire not to let
colleagues or patients down and a feeling that the whole departmental
service will collapse without them.
Advice for doctors and dentists with health problems
- Avoid self-investigation and self-medication.
- Avoid seeking specialist advice from medical colleagues - this can
place your professional colleagues in a difficult position, lead to
unnecessary investigations and the possibility of fragmented care.
- Do not work if ill - you may infect others and your reduced performance may be more dangerous for patients than you realise.
- Remember that doctors and dentist are no less vulnerable than
others to physical and psychological health problems, including stress
and depression. Be aware how acute and chronic illness and stress can
affect your performance as a doctor.
- Please see resources [link to
- The slow development of a physical problem such as intention
tremor, deafness or poor eyesight may gradually be affecting your
ability to do some parts of your work effectively. Many doctors and
dentists in this situation develop complex and convoluted ways of
working round their problems which may result in seemingly odd
behaviour and can increase personal stress levels. Appraisal is an
opportunity to discuss these issues in confidence with a colleague but
the more open you are able to be with your colleagues the less room
there is for misunderstanding. Occupational health can provide
sympathetic help to adjust your working environment and/or job
description.
- Make sure you are registered with a GP, make appropriate
appointments to see them and provide sick certificates for medical
staffing if away for more than 7 days. Most GPs have arrangements to
see acutely ill patients on the same day. If you have difficulty
getting an appointment, ask to speak to a GP on the phone and explain
that you are a hospital doctor.
- If you have long term or recurrent short term sickness absence, ask
to be referred to Occupational Health. Occupational Health can request
reports (with your permission) from your GP, are well placed to liaise
with your medical director, and can pro-actively manage a gradual
return to work. Occupational health can also provide a range of support
and help if you have a chronic disabling condition.
- If you have to make adjustments to your career because of ill
health or a disability, the Career Development Unit can offer career
guidance and resources. Self-refer on cdu@oxford-pgmde.co.uk.
- There are national organisations that you can turn to for help.
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