Acknowledging the effect that our work and personal challenges can have on us is important
This is a collection of resources intended to help pain doctors support their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
It is expected that all doctors will find managing the ups and downs of work and life difficult at times and The Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) encourages members to acknowledge this. We seek to normalise conversations about wellbeing and promote empathy and kindness to ourselves and others. The Faculty of Pain Medicine also know that clinician wellbeing is central to optimal patient care. We therefore actively encourage and support our members to prioritise this.
Pain Medicine is a particularly complex area of medicine. Many of our patients have long-term disabilities and go through psychological distress and we do not underestimate the impact of this on our workforce. Inevitably there will be times when, in a pressure working environment our wellbeing will be negatively impacted and we seek to prevent this wherever possible, identify problems early and help members to resolve problems.
What our members have said about wellbeing
Our 2023 bullying and harassment survey has unfortunately identified that our specialty is not immune to this problem. Faculty tutor survey results (25 responses) revealed that 20% were unaware of the channels available to speak up on this issue, whilst doctors undertaking specialist training (25 responses) noted limited contact with colleagues as part of a small speciality, which contributes to difficulty in challenging or reporting poor behaviour. Our 2023 and 2024 pain trainee (resident) surveys have included questions on wellbeing.
Not sure if you have a wellbeing problem or need help?
If you are unsure about your own wellbeing currently, you can access a free NHS wellbeing self-assessment tool here Self-Assessment Tool – Check my wellbeing Once you have completed the short survey, any areas of concern will be highlighted and you will be directed to resources which might help.
You can also use the information to decide which of the resources on this webpage might be useful.
Worried about addiction or gambling?
The Sick Doctors Trust have a large amount information on addiction and include a section “do you have a problem”, which provides lists of indicators of problematic substance use Sick Doctors Trust
Gamblers anonymous have a questionnaire to identify compulsive gambling behaviour. Take the test here Twenty Questions – Gamblers Anonymous
Resources for wellbeing
- Individual Trusts and Integrated Care Systems all have their own mechanisms for wellbeing and support which are available to all staff. We would strongly recommend investigating local options and pathways which will all have options for confidential support. These can usually be found through your NHS Trust intranet site and generally involve self-referral to the local staff wellbeing team. You can also discuss concerns with line managers, including clinical directors, medical directors and freedom to speak up guardians.
- NHS England have produced the NHS people plan and NHS people promise, which incorporate a number of programmes to support organisations and individuals to manage staff wellbeing. Their key priorities and guidance are outlined here Health and wellbeing programmes
The following list of resources has been compiled to compliment local support. Click on each area to learn more.
If you have any suggestions for additional resources please email contact@fpm.ac.uk.
Please note: the FPM bears no responsibility for the content of external websites.
If you require emergency support, please contact your GP or emergency department. The resources below are not a substitute for urgent medical care, particularly when there is an immediate safety concern.
The following organisations provide 24 hour a day, 7 days a week support.
This charity help with feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide.
Phone: 116 123
BMA Wellbeing Support Services Counselling and peer support for doctors and medical students
Professional telephone counsellors to support doctors, their partners and dependants. Confidential and free of charge.
Phone: 0330 123 1245
Youokaydoc and NHS England support
YOD is a doctor-led voluntary organisation, to help doctors with mental health needs. YOD are partnered with the NHS England SHOUT service, a free confidential 24/7 text message support service for all NHS workers.
Text YOD to 85258 for immediate support specific to doctors, Or Text SHOUT to 85258 for the NHS-wide service
Provide support for doctors, dentists and medical students who are concerned about their use of drugs or alcohol
Phone: 0370 4445163
Association of Anaesthetists wellbeing page
Information on emergency contacts, physical and mental wellbeing, fatigue, suicide prevention, mentoring and career support.
British Medical Association counselling and peer support
These wellbeing support services are open to all doctors and medical students, regardless of BMA membership, as well as their partners and dependants aged 16-24. They're confidential and free of charge.
Support for practitioners - NHS Resolution
NHS Resolution provide a comprehensive index of wellbeing resources
There are number of these provided free for NHS staff.
Help me, I’m a doctor Financial support for doctors and their families
This organisation is supported by NHS England and provides an online questionnaire, to shortlist charities which may be able to provide financial help to a doctor or their family
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF) Help & Support for Doctors
The RMBF is funded by doctors for doctors and their families. They offer a financial advice hub for all doctors with financial difficulties and can provide financial support for day-to-day living costs, return to work after illness, purchasing specialist equipment, disability adaptations. Help is also available for refugee doctors.
Phone number: 0208 540 9194
Email: info@rmbf.org
Royal Medical Foundation website
The RMF can provide financial support for doctors under specific circumstances, including for families after the death of a doctor, emergency grants and assistance with school fees under exceptional circumstances.
The DSN facilitates informal, confidential peer support for doctors with mental health concerns
NHS practitioner health services
These services provide mental health treatment for NHS staff
England: NHS Practitioner Health
Wales: Canopi
Scotland: NHS Practitioner Health
Northern Ireland: HSC Public Health Agency
(this page refers to covid-19 support, but includes numbers for local Trust helplines and includes other relevant support)
This voluntary organsiation run by volunteer healthcare professionals provides mental health and wellbeing advocacy, education and services to doctors. Along with the SHOUT 24/7 messaging service (Text YOD to 85258 for immediate support.), they organise virtual huddles for groups of up to 10 doctors.
Local Trust occupational health/working well teams employ occupational health physicians who will be able to assess individual circumstances and advise on adaptations/appropriate roles
- The Disabled Doctors Network provides support and advice for doctors with disabilities
The BMA have produced guidance for all doctors returning to clinical practice after absence
- The RCoA and FPM have produced guidance on returning to work after a period of absence
Regional advisors in pain medicine and local clinical leadership are an excellent source of information with respect to local opportunity and career progression.
- NHS practitioner health Careers Advice provide access to career planning for doctors within the NHS as well as linking to Medical Success, who advise on alternative careers for doctors
Bullying
Anti-Bullying and Undermining Campaign from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
This webpage provides information on legal aspects, the effect of bullying and harassment on patient care, identifying bullying behaviour in yourself and others and how to be assertive without being a bully. It offers resources for individual protection, to change culture and for negotiation.
There is a section to help you to decide whether you are being bullied.
- Whistleblowing hotline for NHS staff - 08000 724 725
Sexual Harassment
GMC resources to support victims of sexual misconduct by doctors.
The resource covers identification of sexual misconduct, raising concerns, investigation processes and support for victims.
NHS England anonymous reporting framework
This is a new NHS-wide initiative, providing a framework for anonymous reporting of sexual misconduct. It describes the rights and responsibilities of individuals, recognition of misconduct and advice and support. Each Trust will develop a method of implementation, which will be found within local guidelines.
Discrimination
The BMA Discrimination advice for doctors.
This page describes protected characteristics, what to do if you experience discrimination and how to make a complaint
If you are unsure about your own wellbeing currently, you can access a free NHS wellbeing self-assessment tool Self-Assessment Tool – Check my wellbeing. Once you have completed the short survey, any areas of concern will be highlighted and you will be directed to resources which might help.
Three signs of burnout and how to tackle it
Signs of burnout and how to tackle it from the Medical Defence Union.
BMJ article on avoiding burnout as a doctor How To Avoid Burnout As A Doctor
- Royal Medical Benevolent Fund support for burnout, including moral injury
FFPMRCA examinations
If you are training in pain medicine and/or have worries about the FFPMRCA exams, you are recommended to speak to your educational supervisor or RAPM in the first instance. If you are unable to resolve your concern, please relay exam-content related queries to facultyexams@rcoa.ac.uk. Any queries which cannot be resolved by other means can be raised in confidence to contact@fpm.co.uk
Clinical workload
Pain medicine is a complex area and can take its toll emotionally. The following suggestions may help:
- Sharing thoughts, feelings and experiences with colleagues in the field, including the wider multidisciplinary team
- Arranging clinical supervision meetings with colleagues – often psychology teams are able to help with this
- Highlighting workload pressures and job plan concerns with local line management
- Consider training in communication skills (motivational interviewing, health coaching), shared decision making and/or lifestyle medicine. These skills can help to reduce the disappointment felt by patients and doctors when there is no medical solution to pain. These approaches help patients to optimise their own health and wellbeing, which can result in considerable improvement in patient and clinician satisfaction. (will link to comms skills page on website once I have written it!)
- Health Coaching https://www.peakhealthcoaching.com/
- Motivational Interviewing https://motivationalinterviewing.org/
Lifestyle Medicine https://www.practiceunbound.org.uk/product/prescribinglifestylemedicine/home
https://bslm.org.uk/lifestyle-medicine/what-is-lifestyle-medicine/
- Intensive Care Society has a number of resources for work related stress, including bereavement. There are materials to facilitate team wellbeing, following traumatic work-related events.
- You may also want to look at the resources in the burnout section of this webpage and FPM Thrive
For neurodiversity related examination queries, please contact the Faculty of Pain Medicine examinations team facultyexams@rcoa.ac.uk
NHS waiting lists for neurodiversity assessment and diagnosis are long currently. This document may help you to navigate delays in assessment. Right to Choose - ADHD UK
Dr Mary Doherty is a consultant anaesthetist who has set up the organisation Autistic Doctors International, to support doctors with neurodiversity. The organisation now has over 1000 doctor members and provides regular online meetings and a facebook group. Anonymity can be maintained if preferred.
Podcast on neurodiversity in anaesthesia with Dr Sarah Mulddon and Dr Mary Doherty
Neurodiversity in anaesthesia | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
National autism implementation team document on supporting autistic health professionals
- Gov.uk Access to work document provides advice on support available to help you to get into or stay in work.
The Intensive Care Society has information on managing bereavement
NHS practitioner health has a bereavement support group for those who have lost a doctor-relative through suicide or sudden accidental death https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/bereavement-group
Mind provides support and links to a number of specific organisations who can help with bereavement
Do you have any additional resources to submit?
If so, please get in touch with us.
