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The NZSA aims to support the wellbeing of anaesthetists by raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues and providing resources and other information on wellbeing. We welcome member suggestions of resources to add to this page.
Long Lives Healthy Workplaces is a toolkit for Anaesthesia Departments which includes resources to support wellbeing. The toolkit has been tailored for NZ anaesthetists and is an initiative of the Wellbeing Special Interest Group and EveryMind, an Australian institute dedicated to mental wellness. We encourage you to access this resource for yourself and/or your department.
The Wellbeing Special Interest Group (SIG) works to raise awareness of the personal and professional issues which can affect the wellbeing of anaesthetists and intensivists. The SIG is supported by the three parent bodies of anaesthesia in Australasia: the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) (40%), the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) (50%) and the NZSA (10%). The SIG is an informative, educative and referral group which offers a wide range of wellbeing resources; it has no therapeutic role.
If you have a resource that you think would be of value for us to share with members, please contact the NZSA office at nzsa@anaesthesia.nz.
The NZSA is committed to supporting the wellness of our members and have teamed up with Ovio to offer free access to their online mindfulness course. Inspired by modern, science-backed techniques, Ovio will teach you how to make mindfulness part of your daily life in an engaging, practical, and inspiring way. You’ll learn how to find clarity in a busy, digital, fast-paced world and to live your life with greater purpose, balance and ease. This unique course is available to all NZSA members as part of their membership package.
Benefits include:
Cheryl Strawbridge, the founder and driving force behind Ovio Mindfulness, uses mindfulness in her thriving life coaching practice. She has witnessed the profound transformational effects of mindfulness in both her clients’ lives and her own. A scientist by background (with degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology and extensive experience in the healthcare sector), Cheryl was inspired to create her own unique brand of Mindfulness. Get access to this course by becoming a member, or logging in.
Did you know that the Medical Protection Society provides occupational wellbeing resources? MPS is a protection organisation for doctors, dentists, and healthcare professionals. The society protects and supports the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. MPS benefits include access to indemnity, expert advice, and peace of mind. Highly qualified advisers are available to talk through questions or concerns. Their resources make it easier for you to assess your own wellbeing and get the right support if you need it.
In conjunction with the Medical Assurance Society (MAS), MPS also offers counselling to any members experiencing work-related stress, or stress that they feel could impact their practice. The counselling service is provided with the assistance of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists. The counselling service is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To get more information call Medical Protection on 0800 2255 677 or email advice@mps.org.nz.
ANZCA will fund 4 initial counselling sessions for ANZCA members and their immediate family through a company called Vitae in NZ. Phone 0800 666 367 or visit vitae.co.nz.
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on how we interact with others, go about our lives, our work, study, and many other aspects of our lives. We know that a combination of stress and uncertainty can have significant and wide-reaching impacts on the mental wellbeing of people in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health have a comprehensive list of mental health and wellbeing resources, including self-help tools and apps.
The Association of Anaesthetists launched its Fight Fatigue campaign some years ago and the NZSA has endorsed the campaign’s resources to help fight fatigue within our own anaesthesia workforce. You can download the complete Fight Fatigue resource pack or download individual resources including useful tips to aid sleeping, nightshift nutrition and rest facilities. These are of value for both individuals and departments.
ASMS is a professional association and union representing and uniting doctors and dentists in New Zealand. In August 2016 ASMS released a report on burnout in NZ’s senior medical workforce, which can be read here.
ASMS Report into Burnout in the New Zealand Senior Medical Workforce
