Here is our guidance for physicians who want to provide that emotional support to their peers without impacting medico-legal risk.
Wellness strategies and resources for physician residents
Becoming familiar with the processes for legal proceedings and College complaints and knowing where to get support can help put medical-legal difficulties into perspective and alleviate emotional stress for physicians.
Dealing with the stress of a College complaint is easier when a physician understands the complaint process and receives support, advice, and coping strategies from the CMPA.
Physicians named in a hospital complaint can feel reassured that due process exists and will be followed, and that the CMPA is available to help.
As physicians age or they experience cognitive or health decline, they will want to be familiar with requirements set out by their College, and understand their ability and possible limitations to deliver safe medical care.
When caring for patients, physicians can neglect their own health and well-being. Doctors should improve their self-care for their own sake, and for the sake of their patients and the healthcare system.
An overview of communication strategies physicians can use to help resolve conflict with other physicians or other healthcare providers.
While fatigue can negatively affect the performance of individual physicians, systematic and standardized approaches to teamwork and communication may help mitigate patient safety risks.
Communication and conflict resolution skills may help physicians deal effectively and safely with challenging patient encounters.
An overview of how physician advisors support members’ health and wellbeing who are facing a medical-legal concern, legal action, or complaint.
Physicians regularly encounter patients or family members who behave aggressively and make demands that may be unrealistic and potentially harmful. In their medical practice, physicians need strategies and tools to manage conflict and such challenging behaviours.
For many physicians, a regulatory authority (College) complaint is stressful, but can be managed by speaking with the CMPA, assessing the complaint, and responding professionally and respectfully.
Physicians can take steps to address bullying and other abusive behaviours they may be subjected to by patients and their families, colleagues and other healthcare workers, and third parties.
Strategies for managing the stress associated with transitioning to a new EMR system for managing patient records.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this learning material is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific professional medical or legal advice, nor to constitute a "standard of care" for Canadian healthcare professionals. The use of CMPA learning resources is subject to the foregoing as well as the CMPA's Terms of Use.
