Health and wellbeing
The wellbeing of doctors is essential for the delivery of healthcare. Avant’s vision to support doctors throughout their lives and careers puts their wellbeing central to our purpose. Working with stakeholders, Avant strives to change the systems and cultures adversely impacting doctors’ health and wellbeing.
We are committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our members, employees, and the community. Working with stakeholders, we aim to instil a culture of respect and support to reduce stress and eliminate bullying and harassment in medicine, particularly for trainee doctors.
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are used to guide us in delivering better health and wellbeing
Our Personal Support Services offer members a range of support tools, including six sessions of free confidential, external counselling. The support services have been increasingly used during recent times as the stress of the COVID pandemic, floods and bushfires have impacted many members.
Over the last five years we have supported Avant member, Dr Geoff Toogood’s, Crazy Socs 4 Docs by raising awareness across our 85,000 members. This initiative seeks to address doctors’ wellbeing through encouraging open discussion by doctors and healthcare professionals on their mental health.
In 2023 we added to the range of resources, support and advice available to our members by providing access to the My Well-Being Index app. The online tool was developed by the Mayo Clinic for Doctors to help users assess and monitor their wellbeing, and is 100 % anonymous.
Our 2023 speaker tour titled The Quake, The Cave, The Commando, featured a panel of remarkable Avant members, each with a lived experience of working in a crisis. Dr Lydia Johns-Putra, Dr Richard Harris and Dr Dan Pronk shared their insights into building a resilient mindset.
All staff have free access to our Employee Assistance Program, which offers educational materials across a wide range of matters, including mental and financial wellbeing, family violence and men’s health.