Promoting and improving the well-being of junior doctors in Australia: Did you know? Practical Practice Pointers.

Abstract

[Extract] When compared to the general adult population in Australia, junior doctors experience higher rates of psychological distress, anxiety and depression. Junior doctors are known to work long and unsafe hours and most experience high levels of stress at work. The majority of junior doctors are at risk of burnout, feel an inherent obligation to go to work when sick and many have experienced workplace bullying or harassment. For those working in rural Australian locations these issues are compounded by smaller medical workforces, demanding on-call roster expectations and a perceived lack of senior medical support. This paper provides practical advice to improve the health and well-being of junior doctors, particularly for those working in rural and remote areas of Australia.