Please add to this list.
Who should call and make an appointment?
I am open to all who are currently stressed in the current crisis, but give priority to doctors and medical students who may be faced with difficult situations, and would like to talk. As a GP, I feel most strongly for those rural docs who support the country folk, and I am reaching out to them most strongly.
How can I help?
When we have a tell our stories, we put our experiences and feelings into words. When we can talk to another colleague, we can begin to understand what has happened to us. This enables us to connect the dots and save what we have learnt for the future.
What does it cost?
During the current crisis, GPs are able to Bulk Bill under Medicare arrangements. Due to the nature of this crisis, bulkbilling is an important way to support those who are struggling, especially if you are on the front line. This, of course include all active GPs.
But how can a GP help?
As a GP, I am a generalist, and as such have worked in most areas of medicine, and have a broad understanding and approach. This makes it easier for us to find a common ground. If necessary, I can also provide GP support over Telehealth, although my focus is on mental health work, supporting you while another doctor may be helping with general medical / physical problems.
Are you qualified to offer this support?
Yes. After training in specialist psychiatry for some years and leaving due to a family illness, I continued to focus on providing primary care mental health support. This led me to completing my studies with a Master of Mental Health in Psychotherapy and continue to focus of the general aspect of mental health without the need to move to pharmacotherapy. While focussing on primary care mental health, I found that one of the main issues that kept emerging was in the emotional domain, Therefore, using what I learnt (and from what my patients taught me) I developed a website to promote emotional understanding. See Emotions101.com.au.
I therefore took this understanding to work for the past two years in Doctors Health. Doctors are very knowledgable, and have good intellectual training and defences, but often come to grief in the emotional domain. Common cognitive therapy often only reinforces these defences, so understanding the emotions is very valuable.
Can you provide scripts for medical help?
Yes. I can arrange and send scripts if needed to your local Chemist. However if you have a regular GP, it is better for them to provide those scripts.
Will you be available straight away?
I am available most of the time, although technology as it stands means it is easy to miss a call. If you have an immediate need, it is important to either call 000, or ring Lifeline on 13 11 14. However, I will endeavour to get back to anyone as soon as possible to provide support.
Do I need to sign up to a long course of sessions?
No, many either only talk once or twice, then manage to find a way to get back on the right track themselves. This is important, as I am there to offer a helping hand when needed, or act as a resource person to get back in tough with at a later date. However, some may chose to continue support for longer, moving into a more therapeutic
Will I be reported to AHPRA?
This is most rare. Most people who reach out for help will come well before they actually breach the mandatory guidelines. However, those who leave it too late and have been reported externally will still benefit for the support to get back on track. Remember, I am working for you, not AHPRA.
Can I be referred to a Specialist?
Certainly. If there is a medical need, or need for a second opinion, referrals to specialists are very valuable to help sort out difficult diagnoses if these are present. However, my focus os more on helping you to understand yourself rather than making a diagnosis and treating that secondarily.
Can I speak to you Face-to-face?
Most definitely – once this crisis is past. However starting the ball rolling, working at a later stage face-to-face will help establish a solid base to proceed further. I would at least welcome the chance to have a cup of coffee with you.