WELLBEING & PPD CURRICULUM

The first step in Doctor Mentor’s stress management service would involve individualised stress assessments for each participant. This would help to identify specific stressors and triggers, as well as evaluate the overall level of stress experienced by each individual. Once individual stressors have been identified, Doctor Mentor’s stress management programme would help participants develop coping strategies to deal with stress. These could include relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and stress-reducing exercises such as yoga or meditation.

Effective time management skills can also help reduce stress levels. Doctor Mentor’s stress management programme helps participants develop strategies for managing their time more effectively, such as prioritising tasks, delegating responsibilities, and setting realistic goals. Communication is also an important factor in reducing stress levels, especially in healthcare settings. Our stress management programme would help participants develop effective communication skills to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

Resilience is the ability to adapt to stress and adversity. Doctor Mentor would help participants develop resilience skills, by building a support network and cultivating positive self-talk. Participants would be educated on the physiological and psychological effects of stress, and how stress can be managed effectively. In some cases, additional resources may be needed to manage stress, such as therapy or counselling. Our stress management service would refer participants to additional resources as needed.

Finding balance between work and personal life can be difficult for doctors. A program focused on work-life balance will cover topics such as time management, goal setting, and delegation.

Doctors may experience mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. A Doctor Mentor mental health program will provide education and resources for identifying and managing these issues, including direction to suitable mental health professionals and services.

Our mental health programme would assess and screen for common mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. This would help to identify individuals who may be at risk for mental health concerns. Participants will receive education and resources on mental health, including information on common mental health conditions, self-care strategies, and available support services. Participants who are identified as needing additional support will be referred to mental health professionals, such as therapists, counsellors, or psychiatrists, for further evaluation and treatment.

Peer support is an effective way to promote mental health and wellbeing. The mental health programme would provide opportunities for participants to connect with peers who are experiencing similar challenges, and to share experiences and coping strategies. Participants who receive treatment for mental health concerns would receive ongoing follow-up and monitoring to ensure that they are receiving appropriate care and support.

Doctors often lead busy and demanding lives, which can make it difficult to prioritise healthy eating and exercise. A nutrition and exercise program will provide guidance on healthy eating habits, meal planning, and fitness routines that can be easily integrated into a busy schedule.

Adequate sleep is crucial for physical and mental health. The Doctor Mentor program focuses on sleep hygiene and provides education on healthy sleep habits, such as establishing a regular sleep schedule and avoiding electronics before bedtime.

The education content of the programme would address the following and encourage participants to use tools such as apps and reminders to incorporate these practices into their routines: 

1. Nutrition:

• Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
• Limiting processed foods, added sugars, and saturated and trans fats.
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eating regular meals and snacks to maintain energy levels and prevent overeating.
• Considering dietary supplements, such as vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids, if deficiencies are detected.

2. Exercise:

• Incorporating both cardiovascular and strength training exercises into their routine.
• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.
• Incorporating stretching and flexibility exercises to reduce the risk of injury.
• Finding activities they enjoy and making exercise a social event by engaging in group classes or exercise with colleagues.

3. Sleep Hygiene:

• Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, waking up and going to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends would be ideal. However, this is a challenging thing to manage with healthcare professionals who work alternating shift patterns.  We will be focussing on how to get as much routine sleep across a varied rota, as well as how to adapt sleep routines effectively during fluctuation points in an alternating shift pattern.
• Creating a relaxing sleep environment that is dark, quiet, and cool.
• Limiting exposure to electronic devices, especially before bedtime, as the blue light emitted can interfere with the sleep-wake cycle.
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, as they can disrupt sleep quality.
• Establishing a calming bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or practicing relaxation techniques.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential for building strong relationships with colleagues, patients, and families. The Doctor Mentor program focuses on interpersonal skills that include training on effective (and advanced) communication techniques, conflict resolution, and empathy.

The mentoring programme will incorporate in-person and virtual simulation events alongside a suite of online resources that use real-life examples that mimic work.  The core areas and content covered will include:

1. Communication:

• Teaching effective communication skills, such as active listening, using open-ended questions, and avoiding assumptions.
• Providing training on how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Encouraging the use of clear and concise language, especially when communicating important medical information.
• Offering training on how to give and receive feedback in a constructive and respectful manner.

2. Collaboration:

• Emphasising the importance of teamwork in healthcare and how to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to share their expertise and knowledge with others on the team.
• Offering training on how to delegate tasks appropriately and how to provide support to colleagues when needed.
• Promoting a culture of trust and respect, where everyone feels valued and supported.

3. Conflict Resolution:

• Offering training on how to recognize and manage conflicts that arise in the workplace.
• Teaching strategies for resolving conflicts, such as active listening, identifying common goals, and compromising.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to communicate openly and respectfully during conflicts.
• Providing resources, such as a conflict resolution protocol, to help manage conflicts effectively.

4. Team Building:

• Organising team-building activities to promote collaboration and communication.
• Encouraging regular team meetings to discuss important issues and share updates.
• Offering training on how to create a positive and supportive team environment.
• Encouraging a culture of celebration, where team members acknowledge and celebrate each other’s achievements.

Doctor Mentor’s careers service for doctors includes both clinical and alternative career options and provides doctors with the resources and support they need to make informed career decisions and achieve their professional goals. It would begin by exploring various clinical career options, including specialties and subspecialties within medicine. This would involve providing information about the different career paths, including the training requirements, job responsibilities, and typical salaries. In addition to clinical career options, Doctor Mentor’s careers service also explores alternative career options outside of traditional clinical practice. This includes careers in healthcare administration, medical writing, medical education, public health, research, or consulting.

We help doctors assess their skills and interests to determine which career options might be the best fit for them. This includes career assessments, personality tests, and skills inventories. We would then help doctors connect with professionals in their desired fields through networking events, job shadowing opportunities, and mentorship programs.

Doctor Mentor’s careers resources would provide career planning and coaching services to help doctors develop a personalised career plan, set goals, and create a plan for achieving those goals. We help doctors navigate the job search process, including creating resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and negotiating job offers.

Doctors often have high levels of debt and may experience financial stress. The Doctor Mentoring program focuses on financial management which includes education on budgeting, debt management, and long-term financial planning. Healthcare professionals also requested education and resources to help individuals start and run their own healthcare businesses. Most individuals do not want to create a business, but healthcare professionals informed us that a greater understanding of how businesses are run would help them to appreciate the NHS’ systems and processes, and this could create better working relationships between healthcare professionals, managers and executive leadership teams.

This programme will be delivered by a team comprised of healthcare professionals (and entrepreneurs) alongside finance and business experts willing to share their insights and expertise. The content is healthcare specific, and will focus on scenarios where healthcare and business commonly meet.  Access to this support will nurture a culture of positivity around innovation and creativity.  More innovative healthcare professionals will feel financially secure and contribute the progression of healthcare for patients, from within the NHS.

We will focus around these core components:

1. Budgeting:

• Teaching healthcare professionals how to create a budget, track expenses, and plan for future financial goals.
• Providing resources, such as budgeting worksheets and apps, to help healthcare professionals manage their finances effectively.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to prioritise their spending and identify areas where they can reduce expenses.

2. Debt Management:

• Offering resources and education on how to manage debt, such as student loans and credit card debt.
• Providing guidance on how to develop a debt repayment plan and strategies for reducing debt.  This will include harnessing tools such as apps that enable them to independently manage their investments.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to seek assistance from financial advisors, if they are wanting more help.  Signposting participants to trustworthy individuals such as accountants, commercial lawyers or financial advisors that specialise in working with healthcare professionals.  

3. Retirement Planning:

• Offering resources and education on retirement planning, including NHS pensions and investment options.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to start saving for retirement early and to take advantage of any retirement benefits offered by the NHS.
• Providing guidance on how to estimate retirement needs and how to create a retirement plan that meets those needs.

4. Insurance:

• Offering education on the importance of insurance, including health insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to review their insurance coverage regularly to ensure that it meets their needs.
• Providing resources to help healthcare professionals select appropriate insurance coverage and to navigate the insurance system.

5. Financial Wellness:

• Offering education and resources on financial wellness, such as how to manage stress related to finances and how to create a healthy work-life balance.
• Promoting a culture of financial wellness in the workplace, including offering resources and education to all employees.

    6. Business Planning:

• Teaching healthcare professionals how to develop a business plan, including market research, competitive analysis, and financial projections.
• Providing guidance on how to identify funding sources and secure financing for the business.  This includes an insight into the NHS procurement process.

    7. Legal and Regulatory Issues:

• Offering education and resources on legal and regulatory issues related to healthcare businesses, including licensing requirements, insurance, and liability issues.
• Providing guidance on how to comply with legal and regulatory requirements and how to protect the business from potential legal or regulatory issues.

   8. Marketing and Branding:

• Offering education and resources on marketing and branding, including market research, advertising, and public relations.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to develop effective marketing strategies to attract and retain clients.
• Providing guidance on how to develop a strong brand identity that aligns with the business’s values and goals.

   9. Operations Management:

• Offering education and resources on operations management, such as process improvement, supply chain management, and inventory control.
• Encouraging healthcare professionals to use data and metrics to improve operational efficiency and client outcomes.
• Providing guidance on how to manage staff and resources effectively to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

Doctor Mentor’s  research and technology programme for healthcare professionals involves a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, advancing scientific knowledge, and improving patient outcomes.  The modules would include:

1. Research design and methodology: Healthcare professionals can learn about research design and methodology, including the development of research questions, study design, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of results. This involves workshops, seminars, and online resources that help healthcare professionals develop the skills they need to conduct research.

2. Funding and grant applications: Healthcare professionals need to be able to apply for funding to support their research projects. This involves training in grant writing and application processes, as well as access to funding opportunities and resources.

3. Literature review and data analysis: Healthcare professionals need access to tools and resources for conducting literature reviews and data analysis. This includes knowing which online databases, statistical analysis software, and tools that are commonly used for healthcare research to analyse data and interpret results.

4. Collaboration and networking: Healthcare professionals will benefit from opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and healthcare professionals in their field. This involves attending conferences, participating in research networks, and exploring different forms of collaboration and networking.

5. Ethics and regulatory compliance:  Doctor Mentor’s research programme is guided by ethical principles and regulations that protect patients and ensure that research is conducted in a responsible and transparent manner. Participants will development knowledge of ethical guidelines, oversight committees, and other mechanisms to ensure that research is conducted in accordance with accepted standards.  This will be delivered through role play of an ethical committee and simulating a review panel looking at different research proposals.

6. Electronic Health Records (EHR): This would involve training healthcare professionals on the use of EHRs to ensure accurate documentation, efficient record-keeping, and seamless communication among healthcare providers.

7. Telehealth and Telemedicine: As healthcare becomes more virtual, healthcare professionals will need to learn how to use telehealth and telemedicine technologies to provide remote care and improve patient outcomes.

8. Health Information Exchange (HIE): Healthcare professionals would need to learn how to use HIEs to securely share patient health information among different healthcare providers.

9. Mobile Health (mHealth): As more patients use mobile devices to manage their health, healthcare professionals would need to learn how to use mobile health apps and technologies to provide care and support to their patients.

10. Cybersecurity: With the increasing use of technology in healthcare, cybersecurity is becoming a critical concern. Healthcare professionals would need to learn how to protect patient data and prevent data breaches.

11. Patient Engagement and Education: Technology can be used to engage and educate patients about their health. Healthcare professionals would need to learn how to use these technologies to empower patients to take an active role in managing their health.

12. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML can be used to improve patient outcomes by identifying patterns and predicting health risks. Healthcare professionals would need to learn how to use these technologies to enhance patient care.

13. Ethical and Legal Considerations: As healthcare becomes more digital, healthcare professionals would need to be aware of ethical and legal considerations related to

14. Every-day use technologies with scope to expand further: the use of video conferencing, creation of e-learning, video editing, designing AI and ML chat bots, web design, social media, virtual reality platforms and basic coding.

Doctor Mentor’s presentation skills programme for healthcare professionals aims to enhance their ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and other stakeholders in a clear, concise, and confident manner. Doctors are expected to present in a variety of settings, such as conferences, meetings, teaching sessions.  This can create a lot of anxiety and stress, but if an individual feels confident in their presentation abilities, this can actually be an exciting component of their roles.  Presenting well, also gives healthcare professionals the confidence to expand their network and share their ideas with others.

The presentation skills programme will involve interactive presentation workshops, online resources and opportunities to present in a variety of formats and to groups of different sizes depending on the individual’s confidence level.  The programme will centre around these core topics:

1. Understanding the audience: Healthcare professionals need to understand their audience and tailor their presentation to meet their needs. The Doctor Mentor programme would cover techniques for identifying the audience’s interests, concerns, and knowledge level.

2. Developing content: The presentation skills programme would cover strategies for developing clear, concise, and compelling content that delivers key messages effectively. It would also focus on techniques for organising content to ensure that it is easy to follow and understand.

3. Enhancing delivery skills: Healthcare professionals would learn how to enhance their delivery skills, such as voice modulation, body language, and eye contact. They would also learn how to use visual aids effectively to enhance their presentations.

4. Managing nerves: Many healthcare professionals may feel nervous or anxious when presenting, so the programme includes techniques for managing nerves and anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises and mental preparation.

5. Handling questions: The Doctor Mentor programme includes techniques for handling questions from the audience, including strategies for preparing for and anticipating questions, as well as how to respond to challenging questions confidently.

6. Practice sessions: Participants will have the opportunity to practice their presentation skills in a supportive environment, with feedback and coaching provided by the programme’s trained facilitators.

7. Evaluation: The programme will include evaluation and feedback sessions to help participants identify areas for improvement and to measure progress over time.