Community Engagement and Wellness Resources

The Physician Health Program (PHP) and Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) lead a Provincial Physician Peer Support Initiative in BC, aimed at fostering healthy workplace cultures through peer connections. Local programs enhance coping skills, strengthen social networks, reduce isolation, and promote a culture of care and compassion for physicians.

Eligibility

• Any existing physician organization, such as Medical Staff Associations, Divisions of Family Practice, Sections, hospital departments and others, may apply.
• If you are an individual physician interested in getting involved, we encourage you to connect with your local physician organization to apply.
• Multiple organizations serving the same geographic location may submit a joint application.

How to apply

• Apply 

Applications are currently closed for 2025. If you have any questions or have issues applying, please email programs@physicianhealth.com.

Program objectives

Our goal is to help create a safe environment for confidential, empathetic conversations among physician colleagues, allowing them to share their experiences with trained listeners. We work with local organizations to develop a physician peer support program that will work for their communities based on best practices.

Program support

• One-time start-up fund: Each site can receive up to $48,505 to launch their peer support program, based on the estimated need for 0.1 FTE of Physician Lead time and 0.2 FTE of administrative support. This funding is available only during the first one and a half years. Organizations are encouraged to collect data on program uptake and satisfaction to secure future funding and ensure sustainability.
• Peer support training: Sessional funding and up to 4 MOC Section 1/Mainpro+ Group Learning credits will be provided to physicians attending peer support training. This funding is separate from the one-time start-up fund.
• Implementation toolkit: A comprehensive toolkit with resources for program implementation will be provided that can be adapted to local needs.
• Knowledge-sharing meetings: Regular leadership meetings among peer support sites to offer knowledge sharing and implementation support.

Format

• PHP and the JCCs offer provincial peer support training. The training is delivered and adapted to the BC Context by local BC physicians experienced in peer support.
• Local physician organizations (e.g. Divisions, MSAs, Sections, etc.) are responsible for implementing the peer support program at their local site/community, including recruiting peer supporters, facilitating peer support matches, promoting the initiative, etc.
• PHP and the JCCs facilitate inter-site peer support matches for physicians who are not comfortable receiving peer support within their local site/community.
• PHP and the JCCs support peer supporters with resources and regular opportunities for participating organizations to share knowledge and collaborate.
• Please refer to these Terms of Reference to understand the commitment involved.

Organizations involved with this initiative

• BC Association of Pakistani Physicians
• BCMHSUS Forensic Physician Engagement Society, BCMHSUS Concurrent Disorders Physician Engagement Society, BCMHSUS Correctional Health Services Physician Engagement Society
• Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia
• Elk Valley Hospital Medical Staff Association
• East Kootenay Division of Family Practice
• Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice
• Kelowna General Hospital Medical Staff Association
• Mission Hospital Division of Family Practice /Medical Staff Association
• North Shore Division of Family Practice
• Penticton Medical Staff Association
• Prince George Medical Staff Association
• Public Health and Population Medicine Section
• qathet Division of Family Practice
• Vancouver Division of Family Practice
• Victoria Division of Family Practice, South Island Division of Family Practice, South Island Medical Staff Association, Saanich Peninsula Physicians Society

The PHP Physician Wellness Network (PWN) brings together non-profit organizational leaders who lead physician wellness initiatives across British Columbia. By reducing silos, the PWN fosters meaningful discussions and resource sharing to enhance physician health and well-being. It currently has 97 members from 55 organizations.

Eligibility

• Non-profit organizations with professional responsibility for physician wellness or that provide wellness or support services to physicians and/or medical learners in BC.
• Two representatives from each organization may participate in the network.

How to apply

• Before signing up, please review the Terms of Reference to understand the commitment and guiding principles. 
• Please complete the PWN registration form. 

If you have any questions about the PWN, please email programs@physicianhealth.com.

Upcoming gatherings

• Fall Gathering: Theme to be determined
  • Date: Tuesday October 7, 2025 from 5:00–7:30 pm PST
  • Location: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver BC.

What activities does the PWN host?

• Two annual PWN gatherings with curated agendas from members and networking opportunities. Held in the Spring and Fall every year.
• The needs of PWN participants inform other activities and collaboration between Gatherings.

• Your local Division of Family Practice and/or your Medical Staff Association offer information on local physician wellness initiatives
• Local Peer Support Programs: Many local physician organizations offer a physician peer support program that delivers 1:1 non-clinical emotional peer support for physicians experiencing distressing situations such as a college complaint, bad patient outcome, workplace conflict or life changes that might impact work.
• BC’s Regional Health Authorities provide varying wellness supports for physicians. Contact your local health authority to better understand whether you are eligible for support through your health authority.
• Doctors of BC Regional Advisors and Advocates support physicians in the communities where you live and work. They offer advice and advocacy support, referrals to Doctors of BC services, resources and benefits and more.

• Doctors of BC has additional supports available to physicians, such as insurance advisors, practice support, and support for physician leadership training.
• Resident Doctors of BC offers various initiatives to encourage resident wellness, such as an after-hours food program, resident lounge support, group sports funding and more.
• UBC Resident Wellness Office offers free and confidential resident counselling, group support, referrals, workshops and more. 

• The Canadian Medical Association’s Physician Wellness Hub provides original CMA content, curated resources, and information from trusted sources for physicians, residents, and medical students seeking guidance and self-help.
• CMA’s Wellness Connection is a virtual, safe space for physicians and medical learners to gather to discuss shared experiences, get support, seek advice, and help each other. CMA Virtual group support sessions, led by trained facilitators, are available each week. There are sessions on mindful parenting, compassion rounds, psychological first aid, stress reduction, and more.
• Canadian Medical Protective Association is a not-for-profit mutual defence association governed by a council of physicians representing members from across Canada.