As a physician specialising in lung issues and founder of the Fathering Project, Dr Bruce Robinson has a range of insights on the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the community.

Working in the pulmonary department at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Bruce is seeing firsthand the reality of the health impact of the virus, and the heroic efforts of doctors and nurses working to keep people safe.

But he also has some interesting advice for families, especially fathers, on how to navigate this extended period of isolation at home.

Bruce is the subject of the latest instalment in Creating Communities’ Stronger Together series of video conversations produced to help people through the pandemic period.

He says for families who are all spending a lot more time at home for work and study, it is important to keep a regular schedule. This means setting periods for work, socialising, eating together and exercise, just as people would if they were physically attending work or school.

He is also a strong advocate of the value of a regular family meeting, with intentional focus on the three Ps – praise, problems and plans.

Dr Bruce Robinson is a lung specialist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of WA. He is founder of the Fathering Project, a not-for-profit which aims to inspire and equip fathers and father-figures to positively engage with children in their lives. He was Western Australian of the Year in 2013.

This interview is part of Creating Communities’ series of video conversations with prominent Australians offering insights and wisdom on coping with the challenges this pandemic presents for all of us. It is a key part of our “Stronger Together” approach to the COVID-19 crisis as we work to bring people and communities together to help each other through this testing time.