COVID-19 Physician Wellness Resource

Source: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/about/faculty-and-staff/covid-19-information/covid-19-physician-wellness-resource Parent: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/

Physicians are facing unprecedented change given the current state of affairs and the COVID-19 pandemic. Change and uncertainty are shown to contribute to stress, and many physicians may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed and worried during these challenging times. This web page has been created to include resources that will help maintain your wellness and includes information for anyone who needs support.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

• Physician and Family Support Program – The Alberta Medical Association’s official provincial physician health program
• AHS Mental Health Resources – Alberta Health Services mental health resources available to all Albertans
• Canadian Psychological Association – Free services with psychologists committed to supporting front-line health-care providers during COVID-19
• AHS Resource Package – A list of AHS Calgary Zone services available during COVID-19
• Compilation of Provincial Physician Wellness Resources – A province-wide list of resources available to physicians and their families
• iCOPE with COVID-19 for Children and Youth – The University of Calgary's Psychology Clinic is prioritizing psychological counselling services for the children and youth of AHS frontline health-care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those aged six to 17 years who are experiencing stress, anxiety or worry related to the pandemic and the well-being of their parents or family members are eligible for a short-term, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural intervention. For concerns related to children under the age of six years, parent consultations can be provided. These services are provided free of charge, via secure telehealth, by doctoral trainees under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. No referral is required. Email: PsyClinic@ucalgary.ca.

PHYSICIAN-TO-PHYSICIAN PEER SUPPORT RESOURCES

• Provincial ZOOM Meeting Room with Dr. Debrah Wirtzfeld – Community of practice to discuss wellness challenges during the pandemic hosted on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. MT. Click here to register.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

WELL DOC ALBERTA\ During the COVID-19 pandemic, Well Doc Alberta is committed to providing educational resources to support physician wellness. These resources are available on the Well Doc Alberta website.

Education Bulletins – Evidence-informed education and tips.

• Physician Wellness During COVID-19: The Basics (Mar. 20)
• Helping Each Other Through the Pandemic: Providing Informal Physician-to-Physician Peer Support (Mar. 31)
• Mindfulness for Physicians During COVID-19 (Apr. 2)
• Grieving the Loss of Normalcy During the Pandemic (Apr. 7)
• Sleep Strategies: Helping Physicians Through COVID-19 (Apr. 17)
• Civility and Respect: How We Can Be at Our Best During the Pandemic and\ Beyond (Apr. 23)
• Nourishing our Bodies During the Pandemic (May 15)

Podcasts – Evidence-based discussions with content experts.

• Self-Awareness: More Important Than Ever (Apr. 7)
• Empathy and Compassion: Offering What We Can During COVID-19 (Apr. 15)
• Staying Connected: Emotional Connection Amidst Physical Distancing (Apr. 22)
• Wellness on the Front Line of a Pandemic (May 13)
• Sleep (June 3)

Webinars – Expert taught webinars to enhance awareness and promote self-reflection.

• Parenting as a Physician during COVID-19: Unique Challenges and Strategies (June 3)
• Physician Wellness: Feeling Distress, Understanding Loss and Finding Meaning (June 16)
• The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Test of System-Level Physician Wellness (July 15)

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES\ Watch your email for the Chief Medical Officer's COVID-19 Daily Update for AHS Medical Staff. Additional physician wellness resources are also available on the Physician Diversity, Wellness and Leadership Development website.

Podcasts – Updates and information to physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Resilience Podcast (Apr. 2)
• Social Isolation and Social Media (Apr. 2)
• We’re Here to Support You, But What Does Support Look Like? (Apr. 11)

Bulletins – Short information sheets on various topics for health-care providers.

• COVID-19 and Stigma (Apr. 25)
• Mobile Tools to Promote Mental Wellness (Apr. 25)
• We are Here to Support You, but What Does Support Look Like? (Apr. 29)
• Focusing on What You Can Control (May 14)
• Wellness in Transition from Work to Home (May 14)
• Supporting Team Members with COVID-19 Related Losses (May 21)
• Tips to Reduce Stressors Associated with Virtual Encounters (June 3)
• Physicians Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (June 12)

CANADIAN SOCIETY OF PHYSICIAN LEADERS

The CSPL is committed to providing short and practical resources for leading during the COVID‑19 pandemic, available on their website.

Bulletins – Evidence-informed education and tips.

• Ensuring Our Own Wellbeing as We Care for Others During the COVID-19 Crisis (Mar. 22)
• Leadership Agility in Chaotic Systems (Mar. 24)
• COVID-19 Cannot Take Away our Freedom to Choose (Apr. 3)
• Control and Influence, Let Go of the Rest (Apr. 7)
• Top Up Your Tank (Apr. 15)
• Narrative Influences Change: The COVID-19 Experience (Apr. 23)
• Self-Compassion: Cultivating Physician Resilience During the Pandemic (Apr. 29)
• Preventing and Managing Fear (May 5)
• Personality Styles Under Stress: Leading Through the Crisis (May 21)
• Anger in the Time of COVID-19 (June 3)
• Mindfulness-Based Approaches to Reduce Stress and Burnout (June 11)
• Agile, Servant, and Compassionate Leadership: Antidotes to Perfectionism during Uncertainty (June 20)

Podcasts – short episodes with Canadian leaders about how to lead during the pandemic, available on their website.

CMA JOULE \ Joule has developed a COVID-19 learning series intended to provide expert support and guidance to help physicians and medical learners cope during this challenging time.

Webinars – Online learning opportunities with experts in the field, available on their website.

Blog posts – Short articles on various wellness topics, available on their website.

• How to Talk to Your Kids About COVID-19: Considerations for Health Care\ Providers (Mar. 23)
• A Clinician’s Guide: Managing COVID-19 Stress and Anxiety (Mar. 27)
• How Leaders Can Support Team Resilience in a Pandemic (Apr. 15)
• “Talk to Your Fears”: Strategies to Manage Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Apr. 15)
• Running on Empty: How to Fuel Your Body and Mind for Challenging Times (Apr. 16)
• The Walking Wounded: Supporting Physician After the COVID-19 Crisis (Apr. 21)
• How to Build Resilience in Uncertain Times (Apr. 27)
• For Physician Parents: Helping Children Understand Risks and Reduce Fears (Apr. 28)
• “We are Really Anxious”: How Virtual Peer Networks Provide a Safe Space for Physicians During COVID-19 (May 4)
• Moral Distress and COVID-19: How to Recognize and Cope with It (May 8)
• A Clinician’s Guide: How to Manage Morally Distressing Situations (May 20)
• Preparing for the Unknown: Mental Readiness Lessons from the Military (May 21)
• How to Lead with Compassion in Times of Crisis (June 2)
• On Wellness in Medicine: Physician Says Times Have Changed, but Stigma Still Exists (June 15)
• Taking Stock During Times of High Stress: Risk Factors and Red Flags (July 6)

OTHER RESOURCES

• Resources for children of physicians. A resource from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.