In the video below, I discuss the importance of peer support for health care workers, and why I became a volunteer for the Betsy Lehman Center’s new statewide Virtual Peer Support Network.
In healthcare, exposure to sickness, dying, and death are a feature of the job. It is normal for clinicians to sometimes feel burnout, stress or suffer because of an adverse outcome, whether it’s work related, perhaps due to unexpected patient harm, or personal, such as a divorce or loss of a loved one. These feelings are are not weaknesses. They are normal parts of being a human being and speaking with someone else about it can actually help. That’s what the Betsy Lehman Center Virtual Peer Support Network program is all about, and why I’m part of it.
The Virtual Peer Support Network is a free service that connects colleagues in the Massachusetts medical community with peers who are trained to help with the difficult feelings that can accompany working on the front lines of health care. Peer supporters are volunteers who provide encouragement, support and resources to colleagues. All conversations are confidential. The Betsy Lehman Center will connect healthcare workers with a trained peer supporter who works in a similar role. For example, physicians support physicians, nurses support nurses, etc.
Individuals who want to talk to a peer supporter can complete this request form or call 617-701-8101 to reach someone at the Betsy Lehman Center.