Physician Health Resources
The following resources provide personal and workplace health information addressing a variety of subjects applicable and relevant to all stages of your career.
- Current physician-authored articles addressing a range of physician health-related topics.
- Information on arranging a PFSP-sponsored physician health presentation.
- Relevant external websites and organizations.
- PFSP News newsletter.
PFSP announcements
e-health literacy: Creating our best selves
September 6, 2017
I continue to think about Dr. Gadget’s (AKA: Dr. Wesley Jackson’s) provocative question at the end of his column in the March-April 2017 issue of Alberta Doctors’ Digest: “If you were going to invest now in your future best self, where would you put your time and your energy?” Dr. Jackson was quoting Dr. Robert Waldinger in his 2015 TED Talk about the Harvard Study of Adult Development.
Medical assistance in dying
July 15, 2017
The passing of Bill C-14 initiated a sea change in the practice of medicine. In our training, we prepared to relieve suffering and preserve life. That we are now expected to participate in ending life is unsettling to many physicians, even to some who support the concept.
Managing fatigue, relationships and digital technology
April 24, 2017
Late in 2016, the last physician with burnout was identified and treated – about 30 years after the term “physician health” was coined. It looked at first like a career change might be necessary, but the doctor responded well to a novel combination of drugs, talk therapy and Alberta Health Services workplace modifications. That doctor is, for the most part, happily back at work. The medical profession breathed a sigh of relief, and now the spotlight has shifted away from physician health back to sick patients.
Upcoming events
2017 American Conference on Physician Health
October 12 to 13, 2017
Creating an Organizational Foundation to Achieve Joy in Medicine: A conference on physician professional fulfillment, defined as happiness or meaningfulness, self-worth, self-efficacy and satisfaction at work.
Resident Wellness Conference - Edmonton
November 1, 2017
REGISTER TODAY! In collaboration with the Learner Advocacy & Wellness Office and PARA, the Physician and Family Support Program is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Resident Wellness Conference which will be held at the University's Lister Centre on November 1, 2017, from 1 to 4:30 p.m..
Articles and tools
Addiction
- Am I alcohol dependant? Try this self-assessment tool.
- Hail Physician: Dare to Care, Part I
Dr. Dianne Maier
Adverse events, complaints and medical-legal litigation
- Transcend adversity
Dr. Nancy Love
Physicians caring for physicians
- The magic white coat: How doctors deal with their own illnesses
Dr. Terrie Brandon
Relationships with patients
- Living better through empathy
Dr. Jared Bly
Stress and fatigue management
- Am I at risk for burnout? Try this self-assessment tool.
- A Physician Public Health Imperative: Respond to Physician Mental Illness and Suicide
Dr. Dianne Maier
Workplace
Career transitions
- Fifteen Years into My Brilliant, but Unbalanced Career — Now what?
Dr. Vincent Hanlon
Work-life balance
- Relationships: What Works for Physicians?
Dr. Monica Hill
Healthy workplaces
- Keeping the igloo warm
Dr. Marc Cheriwchan
Physician health presentations
From sponsoring and facilitating education sessions to sponsoring conference and event keynote speakers, PFSP works to help you develop and encourage a healthy culture of medicine with your audience(s).
External links
- CAIR wellness information for resident physicians
- Canadian Association for Physicians with Disabilities
- Canadian Medical Association Physician Health web page
- Canadian Medical Protective Association
- CanMEDS physician health guide: A practical handbook for physician health and well-being
- Gay and Lesbian Medical Students of Canada
- Handbook of physician health: The essential guide to understanding the health care needs of physicians
- MD Physician Services
- PARA wellness information for resident physicians
- Physician and Medical Student Depression and Suicide Prevention - AFSP
- Vital Signs - physician health issue
PFSP News newsletter
Our PFSP News newsletter includes articles, information about our upcoming workshops and other events as well as recommended resources:
- Current issue: Fall 2016
- Previous issues:
