News
2 March, 2025
Doctor’s mental health matters
Australian healthcare leaders have gathered in Sydney last week for a summit on psychosocial safety in health workplaces, and the launch of an action plan designed to protect the mental health of doctors and medical students.
Led by the National Doctors Health and Wellbeing Leadership Alliance (NLA), the summit will explore how to improve psychosocial safety in the workplace.
NLA Chair Professor Steve Robson, who launched an action plan at the summit developed under the Every Doctor, Every Setting Framework, said protecting the mental health of Australia’s healthcare professionals is critical, not just for doctors and medical students, but also for patients.
“Doctors and medical students face so many challenges in the workplace, including burnout, job strain, and mental health concerns, and this can impact patient care,” Professor Robson said. “The summit and the action plan I’m launching are urgently needed because our medical workforce is experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout."
“We need system-wide change and the implementation of policies and frameworks that support the psychosocial health and safety of medical professionals.”
Australian Medical Association President, Dr. Danielle McMullen, called on organisations in the health sector to commit to the plan, saying it was a crucial step in ongoing efforts to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students across Australia.
“We’ve seen some great progress in implementing the framework — including recognition of psychosocial safety as a work health and safety (WHS) responsibility in most jurisdictions, but more needs to be done,” Dr. McMullen said.
The plan’s target areas include: improving training and work environments to reduce risks to mental health and wellbeing; increasing the capacity of the sector to respond to doctors and medical trainees needing support; and strengthening the support provided to doctors and medical students impacted by mental ill health.
