A problem shared

MPS offers a free counselling service to doctors in New Zealand, designed to help those who are feeling the stress from work or home life. Dr Tim Cookson answers some questions on the merits of the service

Doctors and health professionals are not immune to the stresses and strains of life and sometimes need help. Complaints, work stress, issues around home life and personal problems can add pressure, and health professionals may need professional assistance. MPS and the Medical Assurance Society (MAS) provide a free and confidential counselling service that can be used by any doctor in New Zealand, and by any member of MPS.

New Zealand was the first country in the world where MPS helped fund this kind of service, with a similar facility now established in South Africa focusing solely on stress related to litigation.
Occasionally, serious mental health problems have been uncovered in doctors who have accessed the service in New Zealand.

“Our recent review of the service has reassured us that doctors appreciate the way the service is offered,” says Dr Tim Cookson, medicolegal consultant for MPS. “Doctors find the support service beneficial  and easy to access, like being able to opt for the therapist of their choice, and find the lack of charge helpful.”¹

Increased stress in the medical workforce

“New Zealand has a unique medicolegal environment, with ACC covering costs for injuries or adverse outcomes from treatment,” says Dr Cookson. “However, New Zealand also has a relatively easy complaint route. Over time, the level of stress in the medical workforce appears to have increased, with complaints being a part of this increase in stress.”

Dr Cookson says that MPS and MAS have long been aware of the stress that results from receiving a complaint. “We are interested in the wellbeing of our members and recognise that doctors who receive a complaint often suffer stress and require assistance. We also see the increasing impact that stress from problems at home, at work, or from personal issues has on our members. There’s a need for doctors and health professionals to be able to access counselling for any reason.”

The free and confidential service

Stress can reduce work performance and impair patient care, and providing counselling for stressed doctors and health professionals can potentially improve the delivery of health services in New Zealand.

“Stressed doctors and MPS and MAS members are seeking help in various ways, but often they are not accessing professional help to deal with the emotional impact of stress,” says Dr Cookson. MPS and MAS set up the support service in 2005 to allow any doctor in New Zealand to confidentially access free psychotherapy. In 2009, the support service was expanded to include not only doctors, but also other health professionals in New Zealand who are members of MPS.

“We are very pleased to be able to provide the counselling service,” says Dr Cookson. “Most doctors find that the service is valuable and believe it has helped them to remain in or return to work.”

The jointly-funded service is a good partnership between MPS and MAS, as there is a big overlap between the members of both organisations and both organisations recognised the need for such a service.

Dr Cookson was speaking to Rosalie Chamberlain, a freelance writer in New Zealand.

How to use the counselling service

• Call MPS on 0800 225 5677.
• Press 1 for medicolegal adviser.
• Your call will be answered by the duty medicolegal consultant.
• Calls to this number can be made in the strictest confidence.
• The medicolegal consultant who answers the phone will ask to whom they are speaking. However, there’s no need to divulge the details of your situation; just that you would like to access the counselling service. Your name will not be recorded by MPS. 
• Ideally, you will know of a particular psychiatrist or clinical psychologist you would like to see. If you do not have a specific person in mind, you will be provided with names of therapists in your area.
• If you require more than four to six sessions, your therapist will be asked to contact MPS to arrange for more sessions. 
• The counselling service is free of charge.

References

1. www.nzma.org.nz/journal/abstract.php?id=3727

For more information, also see: Cunningham W, The Immediate and Long-term Impact on New Zealand Doctors who Receive Patient Complaints, NZMJ 117 (1198) (July 2004).