Family physicians and other health professionals face unique challenges that affect mental resilience and wellness. If you or a loved one is struggling, contact the Physician Health Program 24-hour help line: 1-800-663-6729.
While we know the advice provided in the resources below may not be enough to overcome the significant stressors you, your loved ones and your patients face, they offer meaningful suggestions that can help you stay resilient.
These resources, created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but applicable to many situations, are designed to be viewed and shared online or printed off for your reference. Please also refer to our COVID-19 resource page for additional resources specific to the pandemic.
Doctors of BC Expands Physician Wellness Programs – Building on the services offered by the Physician Health Program, Doctors of BC has announced the development of new wellness programs for physicians, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Training, a Physician Wellness Network, Physician Peer Support Network, and expansion of PHP Family Doctor Connection Services.
ABC123 Psychological First Aid Tool – This memory aid and tool provides techniques to reduce symptoms of acute anxiety and other emotional distress. Become familiar with using these techniques to help with your own stress as well as teach patients how and when to use the techniques appropriately. Thank you to Dr. Marcia Kostenuik, MD, CCFP for creating the original source material.
Staying Well While Working from Home – This infographic provides tips on how to set routines and boundaries that help you care for yourself and stay productive while you operate your practice from home.
Recognizing and Preventing Burnout During a Pandemic – Family physicians and other health professionals face unique challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This infographic helps you prevent, identify and treat feelings of burnout. The “treasure hunt” exercise helps you find joy in your everyday work.
Wellness graphics for social media – these social media graphics offer small tips and reminders to help you stay well. They can be downloaded and shared on your networks.
We hope you will find these resources helpful. Please do stay well and take care of yourself.
British Columbia Psychological Association (BCPA) resources
The BCPA provides valuable online resources to support mental health. These resources can be shared with your patients, as well as support you in your own resilience and wellness.
Kelty’s Key VCH Online Therapy
The BCPA has partnered with the UBC Okanagan (UBCO) Psychology Training Clinic and Kelty’s Key to offer free email- and internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy to any BC resident aged 19+.
UBCO Virtual Walk-in Well-being Clinic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UBCO Walk-In Well-Being Clinic has gone virtual:
- Brief (up to 30 minute) mental health appointments by telehealth
- Available to any individual in the Greater Okanagan (age 16+) who is experiencing stress or having difficulty coping at this time
- Clinicians are Masters and PhD level graduate students who are supervised by UBCO registered psychologists
- Operating hours are Tuesday and Thursday between 12 pm and 4 pm
Additional resources:
- CMA Covid-19 physician wellness resources
- Access to psychologists for front-line health workers
- CMPA resources for staying well during COVID-19
- Divisions of Family Practice physician wellness resources
- Physician Health Program
- Signal for Help: one hand sign people can using during a video call
- Ten Percent Happier Coronavirus Sanity Guide
