AMA VICDOC Winter 2025 - Magazine - Page 57
Q3 /
WHAT KIND OF SKILLS OR
COMMITMENT DOES IT REQUIRE?
-
You need to have a bit of time you can
allocate regularly, along with curiosity and
kindness. Many of us could block out an
hour to go and see someone at home or in
a nursing home, to just sit, play chess or
have a cup of tea and a conversation.
You don't need to be there long – an hour
or so at a time is plenty for an older person
who can tire easily. There's very good
evidence that people feel better when they
do things for other people, and I get a
good feeling out of spending my time
in this way.
Q4 /
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU’RE
BENEFITTING YOUR VISITEE?
-
The conversation a retired doctor can
have with you is one that they can’t often
have with anyone else. Your medical
knowledge and experience as a doctor are
the language of a shared love. They can
share reflections and often regrets – the
patient they remember from 1967 who
they really should have given penicillin to
who subsequently died; the time they had
a flat tyre on the way to a home birth;
the meningitis they picked up early.
They might’ve been thinking about these
things for the last 25 years but never
had a chance to debrief or celebrate.
They need to talk to someone who
understands what it's like to make a
mistake or get something right at just
the right time. Giving someone the
opportunity to work through some
of those concerns is a huge gift.
Most of the time, you just have to listen.
Q5 /
HOW IS BEING INVOLVED
BENEFITTING YOU?
-
Some of the behaviours and devices I have
used to help maintain my mental health
were probably distracting me and have
become less effective. My recent ADHD
diagnosis (along with a generous dose
of autism) – a common phenomenon in
medicine – has enabled a reframing and
more efficient executive function. I’m
certainly not the only adult who works in
medicine who has been ‘late diagnosed’
and gone on medication. Diagnosis and
medication have enabled me to stop or slow
down in some areas, and I’ve found myself
with more free time. I'm not going to go
and play golf (apologies to those who do) –
that's just not me. I enjoy peer connection,
so the program is a logical and very positive
thing for me to get involved in.
We are unique
The Peer Visitor
Program is proudly
sponsored by
PSA Insurance.
VI CD O C WI NTER 2025
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