San Diego, CA., Sept. 1st, 2020 – SurgeonMasters establishes a Physician Peer Support Hotline, a confidential, non-judgmental peer support phone call for physicians in distress to debrief after a traumatic or stressful adverse event.
While peer support coaches can’t solve challenges for a physician in distress, they will listen and support their mental and emotional well-being without judgement. Our trained coaches can guide them to use healthy emotional regulation and rational thinking to move forward. A physician peer support call lasts up to one hour.
Many surgeons don’t have an existing network to deal with the negative impact of second victim syndrome. On top of that, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is only making the situation worse. We believe confidential peer support is the best way forward for surgeons to effectively address the effects of second victim syndrome and improve their overall well-being.
“We created the Peer Support Hotline because we know from experience there is a very real need in healthcare for confidential physician peer support, AND the science shows its effectiveness in many areas of well-being. Doctors won’t reach out if we don’t trust the system or the person. We don’t have to work through these things on our own, when we can lean on someone who understands us and has likely been through similar times as well.” – Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, CPC, SurgeonMasters CEO and Physician Coach
“I am very passionate about providing peer support to my physician colleagues. Having practiced Emergency Medicine for 25 years, I have had my share of second victim syndrome events, and know firsthand how important this emotional support is. I encourage any clinician suffering from SVS to reach out and get the help they need!” Susan Wilson, MD, SurgeonMasters Peer Support Physician Coach
Physicians who wish to reach out to a SurgeonMasters Peer Coach should complete this form: Peer Support Form
About SurgeonMasters
SurgeonMasters are medical professionals dedicated to improving surgeons’ well-being, practice performance, and patient outcomes. Centering on strategies and techniques overlooked or under-emphasized in traditional medical training, this community empowers surgeons to cultivate a thriving, lifestyle-friendly practice contributing to personal and professional excellence.
About Jeff Smith, MD, FACS, CPC
Dr. Smith is a clinically active Orthopaedic Traumatologist, a Certified Professional Coach, and CEO/Founder of SurgeonMasters. Click here to learn more about Jeff.
About Susan Wilson, MD
Dr. Wilson has been practicing Emergency Medicine in the greater Milwaukee area since 1994. Having experienced second victim syndrome in her own career, she knows firsthand how important peer support can be. Now retired from clinical practice, Dr. Wilson is a certified physician peer coach, devoting herself to issues of burnout, job satisfaction, and peer support for her clients.
Contact:
Paul M. Hiller
SurgeonMasters
Physician Community Liaison
p: 858.300.2299