IMA demands counselling centers and Helplines in all medical colleges and teaching Hospitals

Mumbai, June 07, 2019: Indian Medical Association (IMA) have initiated a programme to tackle the burden  of burnout and rising rates of mental health challenges among  medical students Residents and clinicians. This initiative has been aptly named Doctors 4 Doctors (D4D).

Dr. Santanu Sen, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) said, Through this initiative, we will focus upon preventing burn out, address mental health challenges, reduce the incidents of suicide among Residents and clinicians. We will achieve this by creating awareness of the issue and using tools for emotional well-being. We will provide training for  self- help and offer  D-4-D Free Help Lines to those in need.”

As the umbrella organisation and the largest association of doctors, the IMA believes that doctors must care for all doctors, especially given the global picture of higher risk of depression and suicide among medical professionals. Globally, the risk is 2.5 times higher among medical students and doctors, with those in the age group of 24 to 37 years being the most vulnerable segment. A study among clinicians in India has revealed that 45% of the respondents scored high on emotional exhaustion with 87% of the doctors scoring low on “personal accomplishments”.  The specialities under highest stress and risk of burn out or suicide are Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics  & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Intensivists (ICU Doctors) and Anaesthetists.

Dr. Nilima Kadambi, Chairperson, IMA National Committee for Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Medical Students and Doctors in India said, “Realising the seriousness of the situation, the IMA had launched a unique initiative, Doctors-4-Doctors (D-4-D) with the aim of tackling the rising rates of mental health challenges and suicides among Medical Students, Residents  and clinicians. The D4D will tackle physician burnout and mental health at a system level through changes in policy and training. It will offer a Sustainable Support System to bring about emotional wellbeing, robust resilience and coping capabilities among the medical students, Residents and clinicians.”

IMA D-4-D Team has already held Awareness and Self-Help Work-Shops for Medicos about Emotional Well-being and Burn-Out in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, Surat and Cochin and soon will organise in Mumbai, Delhi and in other cities.

IMA is also working on strengthening and implementation of legislation to protect Resident doctors and clinicians against violence, better living and working conditions for junior doctors and residents with proper HR guidelines for duty hours and rest periods and strict documentation, reporting and action against campus ragging, bullying, sexual harassment

to unrealistic expectations from all. The D4D initiative will also offer timely assistance and support with easily accessible professional counselling.”

IMA D-4-D Team has already held Awareness and Self-Help Work-Shops for Medicos about Emotional Well-being and Burn-Out in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, Surat and Cochin and soon organise in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities.

IMA is also working on strengthening and implementation of legislation to protect Resident doctors and clinicians against violence, better living and working conditions for junior doctors and residents with proper HR guidelines for duty hours and rest periods and strict documentation, reporting and action against campus ragging, bullying, sexual harassment and social discrimination.

IMA demands counselling centers and 24 x 7 Help Line in all medical colleges and teaching institutions.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)