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Physician Wellness

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There are many excellent resources available to physicians regarding physician health and wellness. There are specialty-specific issues around wellness, so please contact their speciality societies. Our Medical Advisors have devised a list of the top four resources to consider:

  1. Physician Health Program, Ontario Medical Association

    The Physician Health Program (PHP) provides confidential support for individuals who are struggling with mental health concerns, substance abuse or other behaviours that have a personal and professional impact, as well as offering support and education to physician leaders, hospitals, and other worksites. PHP is currently offering MD-led virtual chats to provide peer support to physicians during COVID-19. Sessions are held daily and are led by a psychiatrist, who is an expert in group therapy.

    PHP is also offering group support for physician leaders in dealing with the strain and pressures of work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physician leaders interested can contact Dr. Joy Albuquerque.

    PHP confidential toll-free at 1-800-851-6606 or email [email protected]

  2. Offer of Support to All Canadian physicians

    As a psychiatrist who treats physician colleagues, Dr. Mamta Gautam has been hosting a free daily Zoom call at 4 pm EST for 1 hour to offer mutual peer support to colleagues as we deal with COVID19. Please email Dr. Gautam directly to join.

  3. Mental health and COVID-19: Resources for health care workers, CAMH

    The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is providing access to mental health and addiction supports for health care workers who might be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These supports include:

    1. ECHO Coping with COVID-19 is a virtual education and capacity-building program that aims to build a community of practice, promote resilience, provide skills and resources, and support overall mental well-being among health care providers currently supporting the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants share and learn about ways to build resilience and overall wellness through didactic lectures and case-based discussions.
    2. For health care providers working in an acute care hospital or long-term care facility in the GTA, CAMH has established a self-referral program for individuals in need of psychotherapy and psychiatric services.
  4. New Supports from Ontario Government

    Online iCBT is available to frontline health care workers experiencing anxiety, burnout or post-traumatic stress disorder. Those requiring intensive levels of care could be referred to virtual face-to-face care, as well as weekly online peer discussion groups and access to confidential support from a clinician.

Other Physician Health Resources (these will be updated regularly)

To support physicians who are providing care under challenging circumstances, the CPSO has curated some wellness resources. For suggestions of resources to include, email [email protected].