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.
- Articles and tools addressing a range of physician health-related topics
- Information on arranging a PFSP-sponsored physician health session
- Relevant external websites and organizations
Physician wellness news and events
The impact of an adverse event in early practice
December 30, 2020
Dr. Marc Cherniwchan (Assessment Physician, Case Coordination Program, AMA PFSP) writes about his experience with a $750,000 lawsuit regarding an adverse event that had occurred during his very first year in practice.
Video: AMA President on physician mental health and PFSP
December 11, 2020
Stress, anxiety, burnout and depression are commonplace among physicians – even before facing a global pandemic. Mental health issues can have devastating consequences on the individual, their family and the profession. AMA President Dr. Paul Boucher discusses physician mental health and accessing peer-to-peer support through PFSP from a province-wide network of highly trained therapists with experience working with physicians and their families.
A Physician's Story of Addiction, Depression, Hope and Recovery with Dr. Adam Hill
November 27, 2020
View a recording of the webinar, "A Physician's Story of Addiction, Depression, Hope and Recovery with Dr. Adam Hill." Member login required. On October 2, 2020, the AMA's Physician and Family Support program and partners hosted a physician wellness webinar to hear one physician’s story of addiction, depression, hope and recovery. Dr. Adam Hill shared his personal journey and reflections on factors that cause distress in the medical workforce, including the obstacles and barriers preventing mental health treatment and the effect of stigma and stereotyping of mental health and addiction. Through his personal account he helps to reduce the stigma of physician addiction and instill hope about recovery.
Understanding and processing our grief when a colleague dies
August 18, 2020
Dr. Jane Loehr, Calgary Family Physician and PFSP Assessment Physician, and Fleur Yumol, unify consulting managing director and MSc., MSW, RSW, discuss the personal impact of the tragic loss of a colleague and how your own personal grief might manifest.
Physician Wellness: Feeling Distress, Understanding Loss and Finding Meaning
June 16, 2020
On June 16, the AMA, PFSP collaborated with Well Doc Alberta to host a physician wellness webinar, as an opportunity for physicians to consider and better understand their distress during these times. Along with knowledge expert Fleur Yumol, the webinar co-facilitators guide viewers through short pauses for self-reflection. This webinar is designed for physicians to enhance literacy and self-reflection about their wellness during times of rapid change, however, family members are encouraged to join.
We’re here with you and for you!
The AMA's Physician and Family Support Program acknowledges the uncertainty, insecurity and frustration physicians are feeling due to the COVID-19 pandemic in combination with the implementation of the funding framework. As always, your well-being and health is our top concern. We have curated this list of resources about to help you with attending to your wellness.
Articles and tools
Addiction
- Am I alcohol dependant? Try this self-assessment tool.
- Hail Physician: Dare to Care, Part I
Dr. Dianne Maier - What is substance use disorder (SUD) and how can the AMA's PFSP help Alberta physicians? Watch the video.
- Webinar recording (member login required)
A Physician's Story of Addiction, Depression, Hope and Recovery with Dr. Adam Hill
Adverse events, complaints and medical-legal litigation
- CanMEDS Session Department of Surgery, "And Then Everything Changed: When Adverse Events Happen at the Onset of Practice"
- Dealing with Adverse Events, Complaints, and Medical Legal Litigation
PFSP info-sheet - Transcend adversity
Dr. Nancy Love
Burnout
- Am I at risk for burnout? Try the BMA Doctors for Doctors Burnout Questionnaire.
- Mini Z burnout survey: Find out how your workplace stress levels measure up against others in your field
American Medical Association - One in four Canadian physicians report burnout: New CMA survey provides key indicators on physician health
- Physician Wellness: Preventing Resident and Fellow Burnout
American Medical Association - Preventing Physician Burnout
American Medical Association - ProQOL
The ProQOL is the most commonly used measure of the negative and positive effects of helping others who experience suffering and trauma. The ProQOL has sub-scales for compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue. - Rates of burnout, depression reported by doctors, residents concerning: report
Sheryl Ubelacker | The Canadian Press - Self-compassion quiz by Kristin Neff, Ph.D
26 Likert scale questions that measure your self-compassion.
LGBTQ2S+
- Alberta Health Services
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Gender Expression (SOGIE) Safer Places Toolkit - Canadian Mental Health Association
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Identified People and Mental Health
PFSP events
- June 16 Webinar: Physician Wellness: Feeling Distress, Understanding Loss and Finding Meaning
- Resources from the Resident Wellness Conference 2019 sessions, including station references, materials, and links to additional tools
Physicians caring for physicians
- The magic white coat: How doctors deal with their own illnesses
Dr. Terrie Brandon - Physician health issue
Vital Signs, March 2017
Relationships with patients
- Living better through empathy
Dr. Jared Bly
Stress and fatigue management
- Managing Compassion Fatigue is an Organizational Responsibility
Dr. Sharron L. Spicer, Vital Signs, April 2018
Suicide prevention
- When a colleague dies: growing through tragedy
Presentation by Dr. Michael F. Myers - Health care Professional Burnout, Depression and Suicide Prevention
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - A Physician Public Health Imperative: Respond to Physician Mental Illness and Suicide
PFSP Perspectives, Alberta Doctors' Digest, January-February 2008 - Dr. Dianne Maier - Preventing Physician Distress and Suicide: Recognize and respond to physician distress and suicidal behavior
American Medical Association - The Complexity of Physician Suicide
The BMJ, September 10, 2018 - Dr. Michael Myers - Out of the shadows: Shining light on physician suicide
PFSP Perspectives, Alberta Doctors' Digest. September-October 2016 - Dr. Sara Taylor
Physicians in the workplace
- Fifteen Years into My Brilliant, but Unbalanced Career — Now what?
Dr. Vincent Hanlon - Relationships: What Works for Physicians?
Dr. Monica Hill - Keeping the igloo warm
Dr. Marc Cheriwchan
Physician health sessions
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).
Physician wellness websites and organizations
- Canadian Association for Physicians with Disabilities
Social networking and support for Canadian physicians with disabilities - Canadian Medical Association Physician Health and Wellness
View the CMA’s Statement on Physician Health and Wellness, its physician health policy, key issues in physician health and wellness and more.- CMA Physician Wellness Hub
Original CMA content and curated information from other trusted sources for physicians, residents and medical students seeking guidance and wellness self-help.
Also included is material for those leading wellness initiatives in institutions or medical departments.
- CMA Physician Wellness Hub
- Canadian Medical Protective Association
Connecting Canadian member physicians with risk-management training, legal defense and liability protection. - MD Financial Management
A financial services firm dedicated exclusively to the financial well-being of Canada’s physicians and their families. - Provincial physician health programs
View what all Canadian provinces and territories medical associations offer their physician members. - Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta
Resident Physician Wellness Month: Resident physician-related events and initiatives celebrated annually in May. - Resident Doctors of Canada
Resources for Residents, including intimidation and harassment prevention, Crisis resources and debriefing after negative outcomes. - The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
CanMEDS Physician Health Guide: A practical handbook for physician health and well-being - Well Doc Alberta
A physician wellness initiative led by Dr. Jane Lemaire that offers training modules to address issues such as nutrition, coping strategies, bio-feedback for stress and resilience.
