GPs offered mindfulness for free to relieve winter pressures
GPs can access an app to practice mindfulness this winter, as part of a BMA campaign focused on doctors' mental wellbeing.
According to the BMA, it is 'not always easy' for doctors to take any time out to focus on themselves while working under winter pressures.
The BMA is therefore offering all members two months' free access to mindfulness app Headspace.
The BMA said: 'Looking after your mental health and taking your breaks is essential while working under winter pressures or when you're facing exams.
'It's important to give yourself the gift of five minutes and try to spend a small amount of time each day focusing on yourself.'
The BMA highlighted that mindfulness 'can be an effective support for those experiencing routine stress, and has also been shown to help with more serious concerns like anxiety, depression and insomnia'.
'Listening to their bite-sized guided meditation sessions can help you cope with working under winter pressures and exam stress,' it added.
The news comes as the Government yesterday announced £335m in additional funding to relieve NHS winter pressures, however it specified this would go to NHS trusts rather than GP practices.
A recent Pulse survey of over 800 GPs revealed that almost half of GPs say their ability to care for patients has been affected by the stress of general practice.
Around one in nine GPs has turned to alcohol because of work pressures, with 6% turning to prescription drugs.
The survey also found that one in 10 GPs has taken time off work in the past 12 months because of stress or burnout, while a further 22% fear it is likely they will do so within the next year.
Meanwhile, the GP Health confidential counselling service, launched in January this year, has been inundated with GPs suffering with mental health concerns, including stress or depression, or addiction issues.
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Readers' comments (26)
Vinci Ho | GP Partner/Principal25 Nov 2017 12:08pm
If you ask , I am not f*c***g interested in this at all . But that does not exclude the fact that this mindfulness app is helpful to some.
As I wrote before, I would rather BMA giving away 6 months free membership to all GPs(including registrars) for a referendum of Remain/Leave NHS.
But what the hell , who cares about the opinion of a crazy idiot like me , ha ha ha ?
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WhoamI | Locum GP25 Nov 2017 12:36pm
Interesting to look up Pamela Wible a US physician on a crusade against barbaric working practices in the US. Mindfulness is great but cannot be a solution for the dangerous pressures on General Practice
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7dayworker | GP Partner/Principal25 Nov 2017 5:11pm
For the tax and money we pay the bma for their lavish lifestyle and fancy conferences, this should be free forever..to all gps
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BAP | GP Partner/Principal26 Nov 2017 6:01pm
Macdonalds Medicine
You Nailed it
If the purpose of this article was to leave me with my head in my hands then it succeeded. words fail me.
I think its time to cancel the subs now, the BMA added value GP services leave a lot to be desired the only perk was the BMJ
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carfentanyl | GP Partner/Principal28 Nov 2017 11:36am
FFS FFS FFS FFS FFS
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d in vadar | Locum GP01 Dec 2017 10:12am
the app is probably free to the bma as it will come with advertisement to offset the costs, you will be bombarded with adverts for how to sue your doctor for medical negligence. the irony is endless.
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