Physician Health and Wellness

Being a physician can be deeply gratifying, but it also comes with stresses and challenges that can take a toll on your health and well-being. Heavy workloads, demanding standards of training and practice, and complex practice environments are just some of the factors that can put any physician at higher risk of personal and professional dissatisfaction, burnout and depression. - Cited from CMA 2019

Physician Health Programs

SMA Physician Health Program
Professional support is always available to you, your colleagues, and your family through the Saskatchewan Medical Association's Physician Health Program (PHP). 
Please contact Brenda Senger (306-657-4553), Director of Physician Support Programs, or Jessica Richardson, Clinical Coordinator in Regina (306-359-2750).  
For contact information of Physician Health Program committee members, click here.

Canadian Medical Association Wellness Support Program
Canadian Medical Association 
Professional support is also available to you and your family through the CMA confidential, 24/7 Wellness Support Line.

SHA Wellness and Support
The Saskatchewan Health Authority website Physician Wellness and Support page contains additional resources.

Mental & Physical Health Resources

Support is available to physicians from a variety of additional sources:

Canadian Medical Protective Association (Physician Health:  Putting yourself first)                              

BC Physician Health

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Physician Health Guide)                   

CMAJ articles on Doctors' Morale and Well-being

          U of S College of Medicine  - Faculty Wellness Resources

Reportable Illness including Bloodborne Viruses

The CPSS believes, that as members of a regulated profession, every physician has the responsibility to ensure that they and their colleagues provide safe and competent care to their patients. To meet this responsibility, physicians must recognize in themselves, and in colleagues, indications that their ability to provide safe and competent care to patients may be compromised.

Examples of impairment include, but are not limited to:

· Substance abuse

· Bloodborne pathogens while engaging in high risk medical or surgical procedures

· Compromised clinical judgment

· Behaviour irregularities that may adversely affect patient care or safety

· Psychological illness which may adversely affect patient care or safety

· Failure to recognize the limitations of one’s own competence

· Physical limitations where relevant motor skills are necessary

The College expects physicians to self-report impairment to their regional medical staff or the College.  Please refer to the following policies for more information.

CPSS Policy - Physicians at Risk to Patients

CPSS Policy - Blood-borne Viruses - Screening, Reporting and Monitoring of Physicians and Medical Students

Physician Health - Results of a Saskatchewan Study