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Wellbeing: Articles

This page contains information about accessing online journals and articles, as well as linked lists of articles and journal titles relevant to the welfare of doctors.

Recent articles of interest

Last updated: 20 December 2023

ANZCA Bulletin articles

Special issues

Spotlight on: Substance abuse

The topic of substance abuse among our colleagues has frequently been discussed by the Wellbeing SIG.

The below articles discuss the issue from an Australian and New Zealand perspective.


Recognising Warning Signs

  • Are you enthusiastic for long, difficult or complicated cases?
  • Do you volunteer to work extra shifts or to do extra or late cases on a list?
  • Are you over-anxious to give breaks to your colleagues?

Did you know that these are some of the warning signs of drug abuse, according to the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI)?

These attributes are also those which are generally valued by anaesthetists, which highlights how difficult it can be to recognise substance misuse among our colleagues.

Recommendations for future articles of the month are welcome. Please contactEventsor Dr Suzi Nou (Suzi.Nou@nh.org.au).

For more warning signs and for strategies on what to do when you suspect someone may have a substance abuse problem, I encourage you to read the Welfare of Anaesthetists Special Interest Group resource document "RD 20 Substance Abuse 2013".

More articles of interest


ANZCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present, and emerging.

ANZCA acknowledges and respects Māori as the Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa and is committed to upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, fostering the college’s relationship with Māori, supporting Māori fellows and trainees, and striving to improve the health of Māori.