Presented by Margaret Kay & Carolyn Russell

This workshop recognises that as we encourage doctors to go to the doctor, we need to ensure that the treating doctor has the appropriate skills to deliver quality care. Doctors rarely have the opportunity to learn more about delivering care to their doctor-patients.

The literature reminds us that navigating the complexities of the doctor-doctor consultation can be difficult at times. This workshop begins by dispelling some of the myths related to doctors’ health and reflecting on the health needs of doctors from a holistic perspective. Working together, the participants will develop an understanding of the pathway to care that doctors take, recognising the barriers that doctors may encounter.

Following this, the group will explore the issues related to becoming and being a doctor-patient – the advantages and the disadvantages. Finally, participants will use this knowledge to develop the skills they require to provide empathic patient-centred care to their doctor-patients. This will include the skills to help identify ways to identify doctors at risk to enhance the doctor-patient's safety. During this workshop, it is expected that participants will also develop further insights that may benefit their own experiences when seeking health care.

This workshop can form a part of an Active Learning Module that has been awarded 40 Category 1 points with the RACGP. This module consists of a section of work to be completed prior to the workshop. Following the workshop, another component of the ALM will also need to be completed before the Category 1 points can be awarded. The ALM will take approximately 6-7 hours to complete including the workshop time. Participants in this workshop will be contacted by the conference organisers and asked if they wish to complete the ALM.