Peer Support for Clinicians: A Programmatic Approach

In this article, published in Academic Medicine, the authors urge health care institutions to develop programs supporting physician well-being and resilience, especially during the period of vulnerability following adverse or emotionally stressful events. The article highlights a redesigned peer support program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital providing one-on-one peer support. Important components for peer support conversation are identified: outreach call, invitation/opening, listening, reflecting, re-framing, sense-making, coping, closing, and resources/referrals. The authors argue that creating a peer support program has a role in shifting from a culture of invulnerability, isolation, and shame towards a culture that values shared organizational responsibility for clinician well-being and patient safety.

Topics:
Organizational Strategies

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