------ PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL ------
Safety and confidentiality are integral to our Peer Support Program. Only the program administrator and your peer supporter have access to your name and contact information for the purpose of facilitating a match.
Physicians face unique challenges, where working in healthcare can be both immensely rewarding and deeply challenging. The Peer Support Program at Elk Valley Hospital understands that confidential support from trusted colleagues can have a positive impact on wellbeing and workplace experiences.
What we offer
The Peer Support program offers confidential, non-clinical emotional support to physician colleagues by trained physician peer supporters in a 1:1 setting. With your permission, we can provide connections to services within the PHP including:
24/7 confidential helpline
Short-term counselling
Peer support
Referrals to specialized coaches and therapists
Support for concerned colleagues
Connections to a family physician
Return to work support
Occupational health consultations
Financial advice
Strengthening workplace relationships
Dealing with a patient/college complaint,
Workplace interpersonal conflict or adverse clinical event,
Managing work-life balance,
Burnout/moral injury,
Or any other situation where you need to speak with someone who understands
As rural physicians themselves, the EVH MSA's physician peer supporters understand the importance of confidentiality when accessing mental health therapy & counselling.
In addition to the above resources offered by the PHP, our program holds a list of Registered Psychologists with practices outside the East Kootenay region - offering virtual services to physicians in the Elk Valley. Please connect with a local peer supporter to learn more.
Need urgent assistance?
Contact Doctors of BC Physician Health Program 24/7 line:
1-800-663-6729
Program Background
The BC Physician Health Program (PHP) and Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) launched the Physician Peer Support Initiative in Spring 2022, and the Elk Valley Hospital Medical Staff Association (EVH MSA) was selected as one of the peer support sites for 2024. Through this new initiative we are receiving provincial training and collaboration support from the PHP and JCCs, and we have the autonomy to design a local peer support program tailored to our needs.
Physician peer supporters are trained by Dr. Jo Shapiro, Dr Maureen Mayhew and the BC Physician Health Program. Dr. Shapiro is an Associate Professor with Harvard Medical School and founder of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Centre for Professionalism and Peer Support. Dr. Maureen Mayhew offers training on behalf of the BC PHP. She has been a Program Physician with the PHP for several years and is a Professional Certified Life Coach.
Who are your physician peer supporters at EVH?
Dr. Marian Ma grew up in Elkford and now lives in Fernie. She has practiced in the Elk Valley as a rural family doc since 1997, joining the BC Rural locum program in 2006. She currently works in clinics, LTC (long term care) and hospital in Fernie as well as helping out as a hospitalist at EKRH (East Kootenay Regional Hospital) in Cranbrook, BC.
Alongside the EVH MSA, East Kootenay Division of Family Practice was also selected as one of the PHP's peer support sites for 2024. Click the link below to learn more.
As part of the East Kootenay region, you may refer yourself or a colleague to a regional peer supporter outside the Elk Valley through either the EVH MSA or the EK Division's referral pathways.
------ A big thank you to our supporters & partners! ------
The launch of the Peer Support Initiative is in part thanks to funding from the JCCs, as well as $1 million provided over four years by the Canadian Medial Association (CMA), Scotiabank and MD Financial Management Inc's Physician Wellness+ Initiative.
