Associate Professor Munidasa Winslow has worked in general psychiatry and addiction medicine at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) since 1988. He was one of the pioneers responsible for the setting up and development of addiction services both in the hospital and community. His last appointment was as chief of the Addiction Medicine Department, IMH.

He has been a pioneer in addiction and impulse control disorders (alcohol, substance dependence, gambling, gaming, sexual compulsivity etc.) in the Asia-Pacific region. He is a sought after speaker at addiction conferences around the region. Despite being a fully qualified psychiatrist, he has taken the time and effort to maintain and develop his therapy/counseling skills as seen by his being accredited as a certified master addiction counselor and a certified clinical supervisor.

He has published and presented widely on both general psychological and addiction issues. He continues his academic and research interests through his academic appointments with NUHS and teaching in many counseling courses. His passion is to help therapists develop and hone their skills to effect real change in those they seek to help.

Associate Professor Winslow is also the founder and executive director of Promises Pte Ltd, which is a mental health and addictions consulting and training company established to help healthcare professionals and individuals in Singapore.

In January 2011, Associate Professor Winslow started The Winslow Clinic at Novena Medical Centre.

Presentation Synopsis
Establishing Worklife Balance to Keep Healthcare Safe
This session looks at the increasing stress level of personnel working in the fast-paced healthcare sector, which often leads to burnout and fatigue. This can cause a lack of attention and inadequate care to patients by the attending staff.

By acknowledging this, organisations recognise the correlation of establishing a safe environment for their patients by keeping a healthy workforce and work environment. Further improvisations on procedures and patients’ care experiences by organisations can be done by first attending to their staff’s balance in work and personal life.

Factors important to maintaining good mental health are explored, as well as options for engaging staff early when symptoms of stress or burnout appear. Strategies and early intervention options from various international healthcare services are looked at with their relevance to our local situation.