Psychological support during training can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. It can help navigate significant life events, provide tools to deal with burnout, stress and anxiety, and help make sense of difficult situations at work.
Psychological support is available for doctors, dentists, or a pharmacists on a Welsh training programme via the Professional Support Unit (PSU) from Hammet Street Consultants Ltd (HSC).
You can discuss a potential HSC referral with your PSU Case Manager, who can action a referral to a HSC therapist if agreed.
The support they offer includes:
The PSU case manager may offer HSC therapy sessions as part of your support plan, which consists of an initial assessment plus five treatment sessions with a psychologist. Should you and your therapist think that further sessions are needed to complete the intervention, an application for up to four further sessions is available via HSC.
To enquire about psychological support, please contact HEIW.professionalsupport@wales.nhs.uk.
Neurodiversity is used to describe variations in neurocognitive abilities, such as Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dyspraxia.
A recent study found 4% of medical students have ASC and 25% have autism traits. This suggest the challenge of neurodiversity in training may increase in the future.
Early identification of trainees with neurodiversity is critical to ensure they are appropriately supported through training.
Neurodiversity is covered by the Equality Act 2010 in the UK. This means employers are required to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
Neurodiversity training and support
The Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (UK) (COPMeD) developed guidance for adjustments in the workplace: equitable access to assessment and support for neurodiverse PGDiTs.pdf.
The group also developed a ‘train the trainers’ workshop to awareness and early identification of trainees with performance issues, recurrent unsuccessful exam attempts or developmental outcomes at ARCP. This is delivered by the PSU and available on request by emailing HEIW.Workshops.PSU@wales.nhs.uk.
In Wales, the PSU can provide access to educational psychologist for dyslexia assessments through Hammet Street Consultants Ltd.
To enquire about neurodiversity support, please contact HEIW.professionalsupport@wales.nhs.uk.
How neurodiversity can impact a trainee/training