| SOURCE | COST | WHO | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMA Wellness Connection | Free | Physicians, Residents, Students | An online platform with access to weekly facilitated, group peer support sessions, as well as related resources and tools. You do not have to be a CMA member to join the platform, but you will require a CMA ID to create an account. |
| OMA: Virtual Chats | OMA Member | Physicians | Daily drop in virtual groups where you can connect with colleagues. Monday to Friday from 08:00 am to 09:00 am and 12:00 pm to 13:00 pm. Sessions last for up to one full hour. Dr. Kasra Khorasani, a psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Health Systems and St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto leads the check in, discussion and sharing of information. |
| OMA: Women Physicians Drop In Space | OMA Member | Physicians | A place to listen, share, and recharge. Facilitated by Dr Sabina Nagpal. Starting April 21, 2020, on Tuesdays at 08:00 pm. Join through Zoom. For more information: sabinanagpal@gmail.com. |
| OMA: Mutual Peer Support | OMA Member | Physicians | Live mutual peer support zoom sessions offered daily, 7 days a week, at 4 pm EST. Facilitated by Dr. Mamta Gautam. Email for zoom link: mgautam@rogers.com |
| OMA: Work Buddy System | Free | Physicians | A buddy system to help you support one another’s welfare and safety. It helps make sure no one is left to handle things all alone. How it works: 1. Pairs or trios formally identify themselves as a buddy system. Teams, clinics and departments are asked to ensure that everyone has a buddy. 2. Establish the platform you are going to use to connect with each other. (e.g., text, FaceTime, WhatsApp, email, phone, Zoom or in-person at work as appropriate). 3. Set a time to check in with your buddies so it becomes a regular part of your daily routine. You can create your own check-in system using an emoji or refer to the wellness continuum below, e.g., “today I am feeling green or yellow, may be some orange….” 4. Offer support and listening from a place of understanding and care by asking each other questions to take an emotional pulse, for example: i. How are you managing the basics, such as sleeping, eating or exercise? ii. Are you taking time to unwind and recharge? iii.How are things at home or work? Is there something you felt grateful for or moved by? A challenging moment? 5. Support each other by sharing coping tips and resources. |
| CMA: Buddy Check In | Free | Physicians | How buddy check-ins work: 1. Choose a person you know and with whom you feel comfortable. 2. Identify a way of connecting on a regular basis, either in person, by phone or by text. This type of connection can be mutually beneficial – it can also serve as a reminder to practice self-awareness (a self-check-in) and to take care of yourself. 3. Schedule these connections and try to stick to the schedule. (every morning, for example). 4. Use the HELP acronym* as guidance for your chat: i. Ask: “How are you doing?” ii. Be Empathic and understanding. iii. Listen without judgement and state your concerns. iv. Plan next steps: encourage them to seek formal support and/ or ask what you can do to help. 5. Having additional resources on hand can be helpful – start with this page. |
| Mentor | Free | Chief, Physicians, Residents, Students | Buddy up young staff and residents to a staff mentor to do weekly check ins and create a confidante. |
| What's App | Free | Chief, Physicians, Residents, Students | Create a community and peer support for EM department to vent, post updates, funny memes, encouraging comments and check in with colleagues. |