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Advice and Information
Many people contact the Victorian Doctors Health Program (VDHP) requiring advice and information.
Many of these enquiries are anonymous, and we assist by providing
information about various services, including our own, which
may be of assistance. Many of these contacts return to us
at a later time to become further involved in the program. |
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Assessment and Referral
People in this category are frequently referred by the VDHP to general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, or other appropriate treating practitioners. The VDHP matches the doctor or medical student with the most appropriate specialist, and follows up at regular intervals to ensure that the ‘therapeutic’ match was appropriate. |
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Case Management, Aftercare and Monitoring Program (CAMP)
When a doctor or medical student presents with a severe
illness that may require on-going support, they frequently
become a ‘CAMP’ participant. The doctor or student
enters into an agreement with the VDHP to comply with a comprehensive
range of therapeutic measures. These may include primary
monitoring by the VDHP, attendance at therapeutic / support
groups, workplace monitoring, and chemical monitoring. The
objective of the CAMP Agreement is to restore the doctor
or medical student to optimal health. |
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Assistance with re-entry to work (if requested by the program participant)
When a doctor is ready to return
to work following a period of impairment, the VDHP and
the doctor together identify an appropriate workplace
person to fulfil the role of ‘workplace monitor’. A ‘Back
to Work’ conference
is then conducted at the workplace, and is generally attended by the participant,
the workplace monitor, the Medical Director of the VDHP, and if appropriate,
the employer. The objective of the meeting is to inform each person about the
program and the participant’s progress. The role of the workplace monitor
is explained, and questions encouraged. The VDHP supports the participant,
and can address any concerns of the workplace representative(s). | |
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Support Group
The VDHP conducts a weekly support group exclusively for
doctors and medical students with substance use problems.
The group is professionally facilitated. |
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Family Support
The VDHP recognizes that a sick and impaired doctor or
medical student can have a significant impact on family members.
Accordingly, the VDHP assists families to obtain appropriate
support. We also conduct a facilitated family ‘support’ group
on a monthly basis. |
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Advocacy
So long as a VDHP participant has been in compliance with
their therapeutic agreement, then the program will advocate
for him / her in any relevant forum. We have strongly advocated
for participants at the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria
(both informal and formal hearings), Magistrates’ Courts,
hospitals, workplaces, and in family situations. |
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