RD26 (2015) Welfare advocate

Intro:

· Departments should appoint a welfare advocate

· Welfare advocates should not have a therapeutic role

· Welfare advocates are not appointees of ANZCA

· Interested

· Understands the training system

· Empathetic

· Approachable

· Insightful

· Non-judgemental

· Keeps confidence (exceptions: mandatory reporting and crime)

· Not involved in formal assessment

· No other conflict of interest

Promotion

· Awareness

· Welfare materials (e.g. SIG documents)

· Support entities (e.g. hospital EAP, ANZCA DSP)

Support

(not therapy)

· Critical incidents

· Difficult issues

· Struggling trainee (along with SOT and HOD)

Department issues

· Policy advice

· Educational meetings on welfare topics

· Mentor programme

· Buddy programme

· Activities that promote resilience