Self-care: Why it matters and what to do about it

Doctors have struggled to practise effective self-care for a long time. This has been reinforced by attitudes of self-sacrifice embedded within medical culture. Messages encouraging self-care practices can be met with scepticism and go unimplemented.

This article argues for why general practitioners (GPs) need to engage in self‑care and outlines a new self-care package being offered by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

GPs' wellbeing is inherently important. In light of a large body of evidence demonstrating the consequences for patient outcomes, GPs have a professional duty to monitor and support their own wellbeing. As such, GP wellbeing is a shared responsibility among individual GPs, practices and systems. Self-care needs to be undertaken in both preventive and reactive formats to optimise outcomes for GPs. The RACGP has developed a new package to guide GPs in confidentially assessing their wellbeing and preparing a 12-month self-care plan. This activity will be recognised as part of GPs' continuing professional development requirements.