Stepan Firstov, being a Secretary of the Central Council of the Party of Pensioners on Health issues, a member of the Presidium of the All-Russian public organization Society of doctors of Russia, an Associate Member of the World Medical Association, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Chelyabinsk region, received an invitation from the Wold Medical Association to attend webinar on doctors' well-being. The event was in the evening on 20 March 2021.
To discuss current challenges 33 representatives of medical associations of various countries took place in it. As invited speakers, experienced representatives of the medical community presented their reports. There were Dr. Stuart Slavin (USA) and Dr. Elizabeth Gitau (Kenya).
Dr. Stuart Slavin, Senior Scholar for Well-being at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), has been conducting researches on emotional health of medical students and physicians for decades. At the meeting, the comparative analysis of psychological conditions of doctors before the pandemic and during the pandemic was presented by him. It was revealed, that doctors always suffered a colossal burden. Cognitive disorders arose in the form of doubts about the correctness of made clinical decision, shame, and guilt that they do not do enough for patients, excessive perfectionism, and exaggeration of the situation and the importance of second opinion. The scientist noted insidiousness of our cognitive system, for example, regularly thinking of one negative episode that had happen a day against background of general well-being. He gave brief tips for restoring emotional condition. His recommendations included change of pace, concentration on positive things and relaxation. Doctor called to find out control methods and manage your emotional condition. It was not worth to forget about more loyal attitude to yourself. Dr. Stuart Slavin had repeatedly spoken about the significant gap in many countries between the practical health sector and the legislative activity of officials. In the end of the speech, the doctor concluded that all doctors are ordinary people who need help and additional support.
Presentation of Dr. Elizabeth Gitau, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Medical Association and scholar of many international programs, was devoted to necessity of medical working environment improvement, especially, support programs and team interaction. As an example, in one of clinics of Nairobi a practice on doctors' mental health has been implementing. Every evening doctors shared experience, discuss unfavorable cases of practice.
Dr. Elizabeth Gitau believed, that a significant step forward would be establishment of call centres for doctors' support, where all appeals would be supported from simple «to talk» to overcome a depressive mood.
The speakers repeatedly noted the need for the Healthcare system to be improved by the government agencies. Life and well-being of people depends on doctors.