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Everyone at some time in their life experiences
challenges. These may include difficulties adjusting to
a specific change in life (loss, family or relationship
changes, issues in the workplace), feelings of depression
and anxiety, and turning to alcohol or other drugs in order
to seek some temporary relief.
Talking about these issues with supportive,
encouraging professionals can assist people to develop
strategies to overcome these and similar challenges,
which can subsequently have a positive effect on all
aspects of a persons’ life.
The Victorian Doctors Health Program (VDHP) emphasises the importance
of early presentation into the program. Whilst many doctors
and medical students self-refer, there is another group
who are ‘assisted
referrals’ – that is they will come to us voluntarily,
but on the advice or insistence of a professional colleague,
co-worker, hospital or clinic staff, family member, friend,
or another concerned person.
The VDHP will coordinate intervention and conduct assessments of doctors and medical students who are ill or impaired, including those with problems relating to alcohol or other drug misuse, or mental health problems. We will develop individual management plans and co-ordinate treatment, including arranging appropriate referrals. We will supervise the after-care and follow-up, and if required, plan and assist in re-entry to work.
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What happens when I contact the VDHP?
If you are a new enquirer to our service, you can contact us by phone, fax or e-mail, or visit our office which is open during normal business hours. Your first contact will be with Ms Julie Carlile, who is our office manager and receptionist. In cases which require non-clinical advice, Julie may be able to provide the appropriate information.
In all clinical matters, the initial appointment will be with Prof Greg Whelan, who is working with the VDHP as the Acting CEO. Greg will arrange to see the doctor or medical student concerned as soon as possible. Urgent cases are contacted immediately and seen within 24 hours. In other cases an appointment is made within a few days. Whilst in some cases the problem can be dealt with over the phone, the doctor or medical student is always encouraged to make a personal appointment.
An initial assessment is then carried out, and any appropriate referral for further assessment and treatment is arranged. If required, Greg will then arrange for after-care and monitoring to take place. Ms Cheryl Wile, a qualified psychologist, is the full-time Case Manager for the VDHP.
The VDHP staff are most sensitive to the need for confidentiality. The VDHP office is situated in a building which houses a wide variety of services, so doctors and medical students could have any number of reasons for being in the building. We also have our own private waiting area. Nobody need feel embarrassed or apprehensive when visiting our office.
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