Talking to Each Other Helps.

The East Kootenay Division of Family Practice offers a regional Peer Support Initiative designed to provide non-clinical, short-term emotional support to EK physicians facing work or life-related stressors. Our diverse team of peer supporters consists of physicians from across the East Kootenay, each trained to offer safe, confidential, non-judgmental conversations.

This program is accessible for any reason, whether you're managing burnout, professional isolation, or stress from complex cases. It also offers emotional support after traumatic events and can help navigate ethical dilemmas or career transitions. By fostering connection and shared experiences, our Peer Support Initiative helps physicians manage the unique challenges of their profession.

If you would like to access the East Kootenay Peer Support Inntiative, please choose from the options below and you will be redirected to a intake form and a peer support colleague will be in touch within 24 hours.

I WOULD LIKE TO SELF-REFER FOR EK PEER SUPPORT

I WOULD LIKE TO REFER A COLLEAGUE/FRIEND FOR EK PEER SUPPORT

About the Peer Support Initiative

Background: In July 2024, EK Division of Family Practice was selected as one of five sites provincially to develop a regional Peer Support Initiative in partnership with the Physician Health Program (PHP) and Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs). The aim of the Peer Support Initiative is to train physician peer supporters, facilitate opportunities for supportive conversations between colleagues and build positive workplace cultures. Learn more about the provincial PHP-JCC Physician Peer Support Initiative.
 

What is Peer Support? Peer support involves a supportive relationship between people of shared experience. It is not therapy, coaching, mentorship, clinical treatment, or diagnosis. It is a space in which peer supporters can provide confidential, empathetic, and non-judgmental support through 1:1 dialogue. If a colleague requires further support, peer supporters can connect them with resources such as the PHP, regional advocates, and others.  EK peer supporters have specific training by the physician health program on how to respond in a supportive, non-judgement and compassionate way. As physicians, we often turn to friends and colleagues for peer support. However, there are times when it may feel more comfortable to speak with someone a bit more removed—someone with the specific training to ensure your needs are understood and met. That’s where the Peer Support Initiative can help.
 

Why Peer Support? Research shows that many physicians value support from peers. By connecting with someone who shares similar life experiences and understands the unique challenges of medicine, physicians have been shown to experience improved professional and social networks, reduced isolation, improved coping and self- management skills, and a reduced need for more intensive services.
 

Safe & Confidential: Confidentiality is an integral part of our program. Only the peer support program administrator and your peer supporters have access to your name and contact information for the purpose of facilitating a match and contacting you.