Professional Self-Care

You hear it every time you are waiting for the plane to take off. The well-modulated tones of the pre-recorded safety message backed up by the actions of the immaculately dressed stewards – “In the event of an emergency, please fit your own oxygen mask before assisting others with theirs”.

It’s a pretty simple message – we can only help others if we are in a safe position to do so.

As a rural health professional, however, sometimes you get to the end of the day and notice that everyone else in your town is wearing their metaphorical oxygen mask but you are finding it hard to breathe.