Prevention and Stigma – Evidenced-Based Training Programs for Australian Healthcare Workers
- 2022 Global Voices Fellow
- Mar 25, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: May 23, 2024
By Alexandra Wilson, Griffith University, World Health Assembly, 2023
Alexandra is currently studying Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Griffith University. Her policy paper is on Prevention and Stigma – Evidenced-Based Training Programs for Australian Healthcare Workers
Executive Summary
This policy proposal aims to provide evidence-based solutions to the longstanding national
and international concerns of poor practitioner wellbeing and subsequent impacts on
patient safety. By prioritising a preventative approach to upskilling healthcare workers
(HCWs) in wellbeing, self-care strategies, suicide prevention and stigma training, this paper
aims to reduce the prevalence of symptoms and diagnoses consistent with depression,
anxiety, and burnout.
This paper proposes an approximate $1,500 per employee investment into the proposed
training strategies that is consistent with recent inflation increases, to prevent a $12,000 -
$16,000 per employee productivity loss to the healthcare system. Pre-existing and potential
barriers, like issues with passive learning, time poor healthcare staff, and the complex
nature of mental health conditions are addressed. The solutions of mandatory physician
self-care and wellbeing training modules along with mandatory self-care plan development
are proposed. Overall, the proposal aims to address a current gap in managing the mental
health and wellbeing of Australian healthcare workers, which can contribute to positively
decreasing the symptoms and diagnoses of mental health illnesses.