AMA PFSP presents virtual keynote session featuring General Roméo Dallaire

Register today!

May 24, 2022

From the ongoing pandemic and resulting care deficit, to the continued instability of not having an agreement, physicians have been struggling. A recent CMA National Physician Health Survey (November 2021) showed that more than half of physicians and medical learners (53%) have experienced high levels of burnout, compared to 30% in a similar survey conducted in 2017, and nearly half (46%) of Canadian physicians who responded are considering reducing their clinical work in the next 24 months. The AMA’s Physician and Family Support Program is focusing this year on humanity in medicine in an effort to reduce physicians’ own personal suffering and enhance their well-being.

Part of that focus includes offering opportunities for inspiration and hope, and on the evening of June 7 PFSP is inviting all physicians and their friends, colleagues or family members to a virtual keynote session, Hope and Healing after Trauma: Reflections for Physicians, featuring the remarkable General Roméo Dallaire.

General Dallaire is a celebrated advocate for human rights, especially regarding child soldiers, veterans, and the prevention of mass atrocities. He is also a respected government and UN advisor and former Canadian Senator.

Whether as military commander, humanitarian, senator, or author, Roméo Dallaire has penetrated our national consciousness, often in supremely uncomfortable ways. Setting aside his natural reserve, he has felt compelled to bring national and international attention to situations too-often ignored, whether the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide, the struggle that he and many other military veterans face with post-traumatic stress disorder, or the recruitment and use of child soldiers. His defiant dedication to humanity during the Rwandan mission has been well-documented in films and books, including his own award-winning account: Shake Hands with the Devil: the Failure of Humanity in Rwanda.

This virtual session will be an opportunity to heal and find optimism through General Dallaire, who will share his own journey of healing from trauma and Post-traumatic stress disorder and will touch on:

  • hope for humanity
  • validation of physician experiences and feelings
  • how to diminish the stigma of mental health issues amongst physicians
  • how effective counselling and peer support can be a lifeline to recovery and provide practical help
  • how the culture of medicine can be changed with leadership action

There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Please register here.

PFSP would like to thank CZMSA for their critical role in making this session possible.

Alberta Medical Association Mission: Advocate for and support Alberta physicians. Strengthen their leadership in the provision of sustainable quality care.