Your Wellbeing

Not a Fellow or Educational Affiliate? Visit our Trainee Wellbeing page

Are you an International Medical Graduate? Visit our IMG Wellbeing page

 

As a clinical radiology or radiation oncology specialist, we understand the importance you place on providing high quality care to your patients.

However, in order to be able to provide this standard of care, you must also prioritise caring for your own health and wellbeing.

Issues relating to well-being, work-life balance and burnout are a real concern for our members – as they are for the medical profession in general. This page provides practical information and useful resources to support your health and wellbeing and signposts to how you can seek help, and how you can help a colleague.

Quick Links

Looking after yourself during COVID-19
Starting a conversation
Practising self-care
Accessing support in a rural and remote setting
RANZCR Member Rewards to support health and wellbeing

Looking after yourself during COVID-19

During this unprecedented and trying time it has never been more important to take particular care of your physical, mental, emotional and social health, and seek help when you need it. 

In addition to the resources and support listed in the subsequent sections of this page, the following information, specific to maintaining your wellbeing during the pandemic, may be helpful:

Watch Prof Brett McDermott from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists deliver an informative webinar with fascinating research, practical advice and a dose of good humour.  

Watch recording

TEN: The Essential Network for Health Professionals, is a mobile app developed by health professionals, for health professionals. It provides you with evidence-based practical tools to help you assess and manage your mental health during the pandemic.

Find out more and download 

A wealth of practical strategies and information created specifically for health professionals, covering topics including addressing financial stress, parenting, managing anxiety, and self-care planning.

View resources

This movement was created by Australian clinicians to support health professionals during the pandemic, with a curated bank of evidence-based resources.

Find out more

Our COVID-19 Updates pages contain advice in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on College activities, as well as useful information and resources.

View RANZCR COVID-19 Updates

Starting a conversation

If you need support or are concerned about a colleague there are many ways you can reach out.

If you work in a hospital in Australia or New Zealand, you will have access to an employee assistance program that offers free, confidential advice to employees. An EAP will also be available in many private practices. Information should be available in your induction pack or staff noticeboard.

Australasian Doctors’ Health Network (ADHN)
The ADHN is designed for all doctors and medical students in Australia and New Zealand (and their families and colleagues). ADHN operates 24 hour helplines in every Australian state and New Zealand, providing localised support and advice.

Find your local ADHN support line

Drs4Drs (Australia)

Drs4Drs is a network of doctors’ health advisory and referral services, offering an independent, safe, supportive and confidential service. Each state has a 24/7 helpline staffed by senior GPs and experienced counsellors trained in doctors’ health.

Find your local Drs4Drs support line

General helplines

Australia

New Zealand

The HeadsUp website contains practical advice to help you start a conversation with a colleague who you think may be struggling, whether they are a peer or one of your employees.

Visit the HeadsUp website

Practising self-care

Drs4Drs have developed a series of practical guides on topics that matter to doctors the most, including balancing parenthood and medicine, exams and burnout.

Access five minute guides

THIS WAY UP is an evidence-based initiative run by the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD). They offer clinically proven online courses for a range of mental health conditions, pain management, and general wellbeing.

Visit THIS WAY UP website

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) offers some useful practical resources for all doctors, including tools for fatigue risk management and evaluating the safety of your roster.

It also links to a number of resources specifically geared towards registrars and junior doctors, including resilience resources and self-assessment tools.

Access AMA support and resources

As a clinical radiologist or radiation oncologist, having good visual health is essential. However, the use of computers and screens is known to be related to symptoms of eye strain and eye fatigue.

The College recommends that all members undergo regular eye examinations (particularly visual acuity testing) to protect themselves and their patients. This is particularly important towards the latter part of your career.

Find out more about visual acuity tests

Accessing support in a rural and remote setting

We understand that members who are working in more remote settings face unique challenges, and there are several options available to help you access targeted support and connect with others in a similar position.

Bush Support Services is a free, anonymous 24-hour telephone counselling line for Australian rural and remote health professionals and their families. It is staffed by psychologists experienced in the remote sector.

Access Bush Support Services

The RDAA has branches in each state of Australia and offers significant support and networking for doctors working in rural and remote settings. Membership fees apply.

Find your local Rural Doctors’ Association

RANZCR Member Rewards to support health and wellbeing

Discounted health insurance with Bupa (Australia)

As a RANZCR member you are entitled to access corporate benefits with Bupa Health Insurance. The offer includes a 4% discount on your health cover, access to online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and many other exclusive benefits.

Find out more

Free legal consultations with Unsworth Legal (Australia)

Unsworth legal is a boutique law firm with particular experience in providing legal services to medical practitioners. Australia-based RANZCR members can access a free confidential phone consultations with an Unsworth Legal solicitor on legal issues such as employment issues and legal disputes, and complaints about professional practice.

Find out more