Build support - Professionally and personally
Moving into a consultant role is a significant transition and one that is often underestimated. It rarely comes with structure, clear guidance or formal support. That means what you put in place around you matters.
You do not need to navigate this alone. Building the right support does not remove the pressure, but it does help you stay grounded, make better decisions and stay connected to what matters most to you.
A. Professional support: Building your circle of guidance
Professional support is not about having someone give you the answers. It is about having people you respect and whose judgement you trust to help you think clearly, ask better questions and work through challenging situations and opportunities.
Consultants who navigate the early years well often have a small network they can draw on for advice, perspective and reality checking. Others build this through coaching or peer support.
Steps to take to build professional support
1. Identify a few trusted peers or senior consultants for informal mentoring
Most consultants have someone they call when something tricky comes up whether it is an interpersonal situation within their team, a difficult decision, or just a moment of “Am I overthinking this?”
An informal mentor can help you:
Sense‑check your thinking.
Navigate organisational or political complexity.
Build confidence as you develop your consultant identity.
Over time, these conversations become key sources of professional resilience.
2. Engage with consultant networks or special interest groups
Whether within your hospital, specialty college, or professional association such as AMA Victoria, joining a group gives you access to:
Collective wisdom and experience.
Opportunities to share challenges.
A sense of belonging during a potentially isolating transition.
These networks often deliver practical tips, from managing rosters to managing complaints, that you will not find in any handbook.
3. Stay connected with colleagues who understand the demands of the role
The consultant role comes with unique emotional and logistical pressures. Maintaining relationships with peers who ‘get it’ ensures you have people who can:
Normalise the stresses you experience.
Offer guidance from lived experience.
Remind you that you are not alone in the learning curve.
Regular check‑ins, whether formal or casual, act as a buffer against burnout and self‑doubt.
4. Use support provided by AMA Victoria membership
The career, professional development, mentoring, workplace/industrial relations, and wellbeing supports provided through your AMA Victoria membership are a tailor-made safety net for doctors working towards becoming a consultant, throughout the initial stages and beyond into your career as a consultant.
Make sure you are aware of what your membership can offer you as you build your professional support system.
AMA Victoria’s career, leadership, professional and high-performance coaches support many doctors through transition points and ongoing throughout their careers. Whether it is building decision making skills, navigating difficult conversations, or establishing the best method of working for you. The in-depth experience built from coaching hundreds of doctors and the umbrella view of the profession give them a unique and independent viewpoint that can act as an invaluable support. Learn more.
AMA Victoria’s Workplace/Industrial relations team exist to support members with workplace queries or issues ranging from navigating leave entitlements, reviewing your employment contracts, assistance with private practice issues, to support with disciplinary meeting. Learn more.
AMA Victoria’s wellbeing section provides the opportunity to have an anonymous conversation with another doctor via the peer support hotline.
AMA Victoria mentoring program is a structured, 8-month program which is tailored to provide support as you progress in your career.
B. Personal Support: Strengthening the foundations outside work
While professional networks help you grow as a consultant, personal support helps you as a whole person. The increased responsibility of the consultant role can create ripple effects at home - routines may shift, hours may change, and emotional load can ebb and flow.
1. Talk openly with family or close friends about what this transition means
Set the expectation early that this is a period of adjustment for everyone, including you. Conversations might cover:
Changes in your schedule.
How you decompress.
What support looks like from their perspective?
Ways to stay connected even when time feels tight.
Honest communication removes guesswork and fosters understanding.
2. Create intentional touchpoints to stay grounded
These do not have to be elaborate. In fact, the simplest rituals often matter most:
A weekly dinner that no one schedules over.
Childcare arrangements that create breathing space.
An exercise partner who keeps you accountable.
Regular touchpoints or catch-ups with friends.
A small period of protected downtime on tough weeks.
These anchors help maintain balance during the ebb and flow of clinical life.
3. Build your own health wellbeing team
It is critical that you have your own trusted GP and any other required specialists. Doctors often put their own health and wellbeing last.
To be a good doctor it is imperative to look after your own health and wellbeing.
In summary – Normalising support as a stabilising force
No matter how capable or experienced you are strong support, both professionally and personally, provides stability when pressures rise. It keeps you connected to your values, helps prevent isolation, and strengthens your capacity to respond rather than react.
Building your support network is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of wisdom. The consultants who thrive long term are those who understand they do not have to do it alone.
Support from AMA Victoria
If you would like to find out more about how AMA Victoria can help you build your professional and personal supports visit Professional Development and Careers or book a career call with our team.