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Peer Support FAQs
What is the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service?
The AMA Victoria Peer Support Service is a telephone support line provided for doctors by doctors.
Who can use the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service?
Any doctor or medical student who lives, works or studies in Victoria can use the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service. The service is open to both members and non-members of AMA Victoria. We also will do our best to assist if someone calls on behalf of a doctor or medical student.
Who will I reach when I dial this number?
When you dial the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service your call will be directed to the mobile phone of a volunteer telephone counsellor. All volunteer telephone counsellors are experienced doctors.
Are the volunteers trained?
All telephone counsellors have undertaken an extensive training program provided by Lifeline trainers before they commence their volunteer work with the Peer Support Service. The training program focuses on the specific skills of telephone counselling. The volunteer telephone counsellors also participate in ongoing training sessions on a regular basis.
When can I ring?
You can call the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service any time between 8am and 11pm.
It is outside the hours that the Service is available and I feel desperate. Who else can I call?
There are a range of general crisis services available. You can phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 at anytime and they will assist you to find appropriate support.
What is the difference between the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service and the Victorian Doctors’ Health Program?
The AMA Victoria Peer Support Service is a telephone support service which operates as a point of first contact for callers who would like to talk through an issue of concern. The Peer Support Service is anonymous and callers can call regarding any aspect of their life. The Victorian Doctors’ Health Program is a service for Victorian doctors and medical students with health problems including mental health, substance abuse and physical problems.
How much does it cost to use the service?
The service is free apart from the cost of your telephone call.
How much will the phone call cost?
The telephone call is charged to you at the rate of a local telephone call.
The reason for my call is confidential. Is my privacy guaranteed?
The AMA Victoria Peer Support Service provides a confidential service. You can remain completely anonymous when you call the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service.
I don’t want anyone to know that I have used the service. Will the AMA be monitoring the calls?
AMA Victoria does not monitor calls to the Peer Support Service. General statistics about the type of call are noted in order to ensure that the service is meeting the needs of callers and to ensure that ongoing training of the telephone counsellors is appropriate.
Are calls recorded?
Calls are not recorded. Only general statistics about the type of calls received are collected by the telephone counsellors.
Do the telephone counsellors keep records of the calls?
The telephone counsellors do not record any personal details of callers, only general statistics about the type of call. No identifying data about callers is recorded.
The medical community in Victoria is relatively small. Could I recognise or be recognised by the telephone counsellor?
The AMA Victoria Peer Support Service telephone counsellors do not provide their own name or disclose their own identity. This protects both the caller and the telephone counsellor from recognition. You can remain completely anonymous when you call the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service.
My issue may seem trivial to others. Can I still call?
You may call the service for support in any situation. The telephone counsellors are available to provide support to you.
My concerns are serious and will not be resolved with a single phone call. What should I do?
You may call the service for support in any situation. The telephone counsellors are available to provide support to you. The telephone counsellors are able to assist you find ongoing support or expert assistance when this is needed.
Will I be given advice when I call the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service?
The telephone counsellors are available to provide support and when appropriate will provide information about the resources available or if necessary options for referral for further assistance.
How can I get additional information after my initial call?
You may call the AMA Peer Support Service as often as needed but you may reach a different telephone counsellor when you call back. The Service does not provide follow up after a call but you are welcome to call back at any time.
Can I call back and speak to the same telephone counsellor?
The telephone counsellors work on a rotating roster. If you call back a different telephone counsellor may be on duty.
Where will the volunteer be when they receive my call?
The volunteer telephone counsellors carry on their normal daily routines when they are on duty but ensure that they are available to take calls most of the time. If they are temporarily unavailable the call will transfer to voice mail and you can leave a message if you wish.
My call went to voice mail but I didn’t want to leave a message. What can I do?
If your call goes to voice mail and you do not wish to leave a message you can call back again after a short period of time. The telephone counsellor should be available to take your call within 30 minutes.
I am interested in becoming a volunteer telephone counsellor with the Peer Support Service. Who should I contact?
Contact AMA Victoria on 03 9280 8722 during normal business hours and express your interest in becoming a volunteer telephone counsellor. A staff member will discuss with you the training and roster requirements.
I think the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service is great and I would like to make a donation to support it. Who do I contact?
Contact AMA Victoria on 03 9280 8722 during normal business hours and express your interest in making a donation to support the Service. A staff member will assist you.
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