Better health

PLENTY of promises in the Queensland election campaign about restoring frontline services, particularly when it comes to health.

Good to see, because it is the people, supported by appropriate infrastructure, that deliver our first-class health service. Stands to reason then that a priority must be to look after our health workforce but there exists a troubling reality.

The health of our doctors is under threat.

Beyond Blue has reported

that the level of distress in our doctors is twice that of the general population.

We have known this for some time. For example, a 2009 report in the Medical

Journal of Australia detailed that 70% of junior doctors meet the criteria for burnout and yet in 2016 new research indicated that burnout among medical graduates in Brisbane hospitals remains as high as 55% in some cases.

Clearly this is too high and not surprisingly may lead to appalling consequences.

Tragically in Australia, the risk of suicide in male doctors is 26% greater and in female doctors a staggering 126% greater, than the risk of suicide in the general population.

A compelling 2017 report from the US found that suicide is now the leading cause of death for medical practitioners, which is a call to action for us here in Queensland.

We must care for those who care for us if we wish to avoid similar damning statistics here.

Now is the time to act. We as a community hold a duty of care to the dedicated medical, nursing and allied health professionals who make up our health system and looking after their health is our collective responsibility.

Congratulations then to the Australian Medical Association Queensland, on releasing a succinct and compelling prescription for improving our health.

The Five Point Plan for Better Health in Queensland is not built upon massive infrastructure upgrades, tempting as it might be in election mode, but rather offers a persuasive analysis recommending five priority actions to improve our health.

And the first point is to “improve the health of doctors”.

Thank you AMA Queensland, just what the doctor ordered.

And to those seeking election to the Queensland Parliament, this medicine is worth taking. — PROFESSOR JEFF DUNN, Institute for Resilient Regions USQ, Sinnathamby Blvd, Springfield Central