Every Doctor, Every Setting Framework
The National Framework: Every Doctor, Every Setting was developed with the support of medical leaders in Australia. Based on the best available evidence and advice from doctors, doctors-in-training, medical students, mental health and suicide prevention experts and other key stakeholders, the Framework is designed to drive action on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students across all settings and all stages of career. Improving the wellbeing of doctors and medical students is a key enabler of quality patient care and healthier communities. The Framework positions the mental health and wellbeing of the medical profession as a national priority. Access a copy of the Framework here.
The Vision
A medical profession that works and studies in environments that support wellbeing and enable quality patient care.
The Goal
Coordinated action to prevent mental ill-health and suicidal behaviour and support good mental health for all doctors and medical students.
The Framework is underpinned by the following Guiding Principles:
- The wellbeing of the medical profession is a national priority, requiring a coordinated and resourced approach.
- Environments that value, develop and support the medical profession are conducive to good patient care.
- Targeting the structural and environmental risk factors impacting on the medical profession is an immediate priority.
- Medical professionals who experience mental ill-health and suicidal behaviour can and do provide quality patient care.
Support from all key stakeholders is required to ensure implementation and evaluation of evidence-based interventions across all settings.
Stakeholders identified for the Framework encompass:
Government and health ministers (state and federal); medical colleges and training providers; health departments, community health services, hospitals (public and private) and primary care; government regulatory agencies; universities; professional associations; specialist health services for medical professionals; national mental health and suicide prevention agencies.
Five Pillars for Coordinated Action:
Primary Prevention
Improve training and work environments to reduce risk:
1.1 Systems change in both public and private practice to prevent job strain, fatigue and burnout across the medical profession.
1.2 Safe and inclusive training and work environments, where bullying harassment and discrimination are not tolerated.
Secondary Prevention
Improve the capacity to recognise and respond to those needing support:
2.1 Mandatory reporting legislation exempts treating doctors from reporting their doctor or medical student patients.
2.2 The medical profession is empowered to better identify and respond to mental ill-health and suicidal behaviour in doctors and medical students.
2.3 Doctors and medical students at increased risk of mental ill-health and suicide are supported across settings.
2.4 Effective pathways to evidence-based care are available to the medical profession.
Tertiary Prevention
Improve the support provided to doctors and medical students impacted by mental ill-health and suicidal behaviour:
3.1 Recovery-at-work practices are implemented across all setting where medical professionals work, study and train.
3.2 An effective postvention response system is built to support doctors and medical students following suicidal behaviour.
Mental Health Promotion
Improve the culture of the medical profession to increase wellbeing:
4.1 Strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of the medical profession are implemented.
4.2 Leaders and supervisors are provided with professional development to support the wellbeing of doctors and medical students.
Leadership
Improve accountability, coordinated action and monitoring to ensure success:
5.1 A national leadership group is resourced to oversee implementation and monitoring of the framework.
5.2 Mechanisms for effective communication about policy, practice and research are established.
5.3 A research and evaluation strategy is developed and implemented.
Partner Acknowledgement
This National Doctors Health & Wellbeing initiative is supported by the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
