PHYSICIAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS- ASSESSMENT OF A PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM IN A WESTERN CANADIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT

Abstract

Physicians experience high rates of burnout due to the job related demands and emotional stressors . As a result, physician health and wellness initiatives have been sought out to mitigate burn out, and work towards advocating for physician well-being. Peer support programs have been used, and found to be effective, in mitigating burn out by utilizing the innate tendency to respond and empathized with shared difficulty. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of peer support and the recommendations needed to implement such a program on a larger scale. 14 physicians from the Regina General Hospital Pediatric department were paired to have informal virtual meetings (during COVID-19) every two weeks for three months. Following the program, physicians were individually interviewed and participated in a short cross sectional survey to understand the experience and perception of the program. Results showed a perceived benefit and value towards the program with an interest in continuing in a more formal fashion. The small department and the inability to meet naturally in person (due to COVID-19) provided limitations. Future indications of the program include continuation, expansion, and advocacy for the program. While providing a more formal structure with administrative support for schedule integration.