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Confidentiality essential to doctors’ good health
“Doctors need to have confidence they can seek medical help with the same rights to privacy and support in the workplace as other patients,” says AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates.
Dr Yates was commenting on a recent media report calling for doctors with mental illness to cease treating patients.
“The Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria has very strict processes which protect the safety of patients while supporting doctors through their treatment and recovery.
“AMA Victoria helped establish the Victorian Doctors Health Program to further ensure doctors have access to excellent, confidential care and to encourage doctors to seek treatment or to seek advice on referring a colleague.
“It is disappointing after all the progress made in recent years by the profession and bodies such as beyondblue, that this week there were headlines attacking unwell doctors.
“Doctors can be assured their approach to their GP or the VDHP will be treated in confidence.
“Doctors, like the rest of the population, are at risk of mental illness and drug and alcohol problems. AMA Victoria will continue to work to improve doctors’ health and ensure there is an environment of support, treatment and rehabilitation for those with an illness, which also protects patients,” he said.
For help doctors can contact the VDHP on (03) 9495 6011.
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