A SAFER Workplace: Broadening Peer Support Programs

Abstract

Mistreatment from patients and their visitors is a troubling problem affecting the majority of physicians throughout their career and disproportionately impacting female and nonwhite physicians. This article reviews the prevalence and impact of mistreatment of physicians from patients and their visitors and reviews steps that organizations can take to address mistreatment from patients. Additionally, this article highlights a unique opportunity to expand peer support programs to provide trauma-informed emotional first aid to physicians after episodes of mistreatment and provides a communication roadmap, SAFER, to guide peer supporters. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2024;54(1):e3–e8.]