Peer Support Program for General Practitioners
Who cares for the carer? With the belief that little currently existed to care specifically for GPs who experienced "crises" related to their professional practice, a peer support program for GPs has been established by the Inner Eastern Melbourne Division of General Practice.
Working with consultant psychologist, Joanne Fitzgerald of Designed Interventions, a steering group developed the program and two information sessions were held to introduce the project to GPs within the Division. Interested GPs completed an application form and were then interviewed by a member of the Steering Group and Joanne Fitzgerald to provide them with more detailed information and to identify their suitability for the support role. Eight volunteer GPs were selected to participate in the peer support training course.
The training sessions prepared GPs for a role that may present in various forms as determined by the needs of a colleague. These included telephone support, face-to-face counselling, incident debriefing, home visits, provision of practical support during a crisis period, and making appropriate referrals. The training framework was based on an "action learning" model which allowed participants to examine their own strengths and possible difficulties, as well as their need for on-going development in the role. Material was presented in a variety of ways, including presentations, large and small group discussions, written material, posters, and role-plays.
Three, 3-hour sessions were conducted one week apart. Session one focused on exploring what a peer support team is and how it operates; examined critical incident stress and coping strategies, and identified types of critical incidents faced by GPs. Session two explored personal experiences of support at stressful times for GPs, types of critical incident support models of debriefing, and acknowledging the difficulties of GPs in accessing support. Discussion and role-plays facilitated learning around skills and experiences in approaching and supporting peers and the importance of confidentiality. Session three highlighted the difference between the GP and the peer supporter role, the limitations of the support role and the appropriateness of referring GP's for professional support as necessary.
Three weeks after the training, each participant was contacted in a phone follow-up. Participants were asked questions such as: "What was a significant learning for you during the workshop?", "How equipped do you now feel to take on a peer support role?", "Would you require further training before commencing the role?", "Should any information be added or omitted to the training?", "Any changes to the presentation?", etc.
Overall, the GP's involved agreed the training provided a solid basis for the peer support role. It was felt that the content effectively outlined the skills and requirements for the role and indicated how this role was different from that of a GP. Participants felt the training was relevant, interesting and informative.
Nearly all participants commented that the training program was too short and further time was needed to practice the peer support skills. Several GPs suggested that one more session would help to solidify the training material, allow for greater separation of the role of peer supporter from that of GP, as well as address practical concerns, such as referral guidelines, use of the pager system and other procedural matters.
In conclusion, it was necessary to include a broad range of information in the limited time allocated to fully prepare the selected GPs for the peer support role. Apart from role definition and development of a good understanding of critical incident stress, practical skills such as listening, reflecting and supporting in an equal relationship between two GPs had to be developed. Much of this skill enhancement has been encouraged through role-plays in sessions two and three.
Feedback from participants suggests that the training format employed in this pilot program is an effective way to inform, educate and skill GPs in a peer support role. Any other Division interested in exploring the application of peer support to the GPs can contact...
Joanne Fitzgerald
Designed Interventions
(03) 9681 6647 (Australia)