EP#121: Running on empty? Burnout in the public sector with Dr Antonio Di Dio
Today, Dr Antonio Di Dio from the Professional Services Review talks about how to identify burnout and support yourself and your team members when they struggle with mental health challenges.
The end of the year is inching closer, but for many working in the public sector, the next time-hungry project is just around the corner, increasing pressure on their mental health and wellbeing. In 2023, 1 in 3 respondents to the APS Census reported feeling burnt out by their work – so, how can organisations and individuals stem the tide?
On this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup speaks with Dr Antonio Di Dio, long-term GP and director of the Professional Services Review, about the state of burnout in the sector, and why caring for your work can be both a blessing and a curse. Antonio highlights the need for education about what causes burnout and offers some practical strategies to help support yourself and those around you, from setting boundaries to self-care and regular breaks.
Key tips
- Support people in getting the right diagnosis so they can get treatment.
- Whilst you can’t always do much about the workflow, ensure you have clear expectations and give recognition to your staff for their work.
- Watch out for: perfectionism, pessimism, overachieving and strong need for control – people with these qualities are at the highest risk of burnout.
Show notes
- The 2023 APS Employee Census Overall results | Australian Public Service Commission
- Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice | Australian Public Service Commission
- Professional Services Review
- Burnout diagnosis one step closer with new clinical checklist and predictor of which personalities are most at risk | Black Dog Institute
Guest
Dr Antonio Di Dio
Antonio is the current director of the Australian Professional Services Review Agency. Antonio grew up in rural parts of Italy and NSW and attended Sydney University. He has been a GP for 30 years and has been a long-term practice principal in Canberra. His passions include practitioner wellbeing and representing the interests of patients and their doctors. He was AMA ACT president elect/president from 2016 to 2021, served on many boards and committees, and was Chair of the International Assessment Panel under Medevac Legislation for refugees in 2019.
For 25 years, he has served as a volunteer for distressed doctors and currently is the deputy chair of the National Drs4Drs Board and for many years ran the ACT service. He was awarded the AMA National Presidential Medal in 2020 for services to doctors’ health, and to refugees. Antonio has been involved in teaching roles and currently lectures at ANU on medicine and medical regulation, and has held roles for AHPRA, Medical Council of NSW, Medicare, AMC, and PSR for over 20 years.