Doctors are human too. Why don't we speak out about our extreme states and recovery stories?
Patte Randal
Retired from Auckland District Health Board/Self-employed
Dr Patte Randal LRCP MRCS D Phil has personal experience of recovery from psychosis, is trained in Psychiatry, and worked as Medical Officer in Rehabilitation Psychiatry at Buchanan Rehabilitation Centre ADHB, Auckland for 18 years. She developed and co-facilitated Understanding Ourselves Groups as well as a focused collaborative intervention to support people in their journey of self-discovery. She continues to work collaboratively with individuals and their families in the community, who experience the enduring consequences of trauma such as work-place bullying, and other extreme states such as psychosis, to facilitate self-understanding and to assist in developing a life worth living. She has taught the “Re-covery Model” to clinicians of all disciplines, the people they serve and their families. She has published research on recovery-focussed multimodal therapy for people with psychosis, is first author of the “Re-covery Model” (Randal et al 2009), and is co-editor and co-author of an ISPS book
Abstract
Aim To outline some findings of a qualitative research study talking with doctors who became the patients of psychiatrists. Method As part of a larger qualitative study. we interviewed 11 doctors who have lived... [ view full abstract ]
Aim
To outline some findings of a qualitative research study talking with doctors who became the patients of psychiatrists.
Method
As part of a larger qualitative study. we interviewed 11 doctors who have lived experience of extreme states including psychosis. Thematic analysis was undertaken.
Results
The participants described painful and extreme experiences that compromised their wellbeing and their capacity to function as doctors and from which they had recovered. All but one felt their experience in the patient role had taught them to be more effective clinicians. They described increased empathy, a different perspective on getting things wrong, recognition of the spectrum of experiences of receiving a diagnosis and taking medications - from being positively helpful to being actively destructive. Many acknowledged increased resilience as a result of surviving these experiences.
Several had attempted to share their learning, with mixed responses. Several described negative consequences of speaking out. Some spoke of shame, stigma or discrimination as an explanation for why speaking out was unsafe.
Many expressed a desire to be able to speak out publicly in order to teach others but acknowledged that this was not something they would feel safe or confident to undertake
Conclusions
The culture of medicine and society at large remains a force requiring doctors to perform as if we are superhuman. This can have dire consequences. We need to create safe spaces for our true humanity to shine. This includes supporting those of us who have endured extreme states including psychosis to speak out. Our journeys of recovery and discovery can be hope-inspiring. We can be role models promoting the reality that we all (including the people we serve) can become more resilient as a result of our experiences, given the right support. Surely it is time.
Authors
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Patte Randal
(Retired from Auckland District Health Board/Self-employed)
Topic Areas
Influencing professions , Influencing public opinion , Experts by experience
Session
SAB PEE » Papers: Lived Experience Perspectives (08:00 - Saturday, 2nd September, Chadwick Building, Chadwick Lecture Theatre)
Presentation Files
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