Physicians understand physicians. When they support one another, it can change lives — not just their own, but those of the patients they care for.

In a profession where stress, isolation, and burnout are common, the support of a peer who truly understands can be transformative. It’s the power and potential behind the Organizational Peer Support (OPS) program, created to help physicians feel seen, heard, and supported by one another.

Physicians who use peer support demonstrate improved coping, stronger social networks, reduced isolation, and a decreased need for intensive services, said Dr. Alexis Botkin, Medical Consultant for Physician and Medical Learner Health and Wellness at Doctors Manitoba.

“Peer support is a way to provide comfort and assistance, and to hold space for colleagues,” said Dr. Botkin. ​“It offers a confidential way to connect with someone who understands what you’re going through, and it’s part of a bigger cultural shift toward making it okay to ask for help.”

Whether it’s navigating professional or personal challenges, such as relationship strain, workplace stress, burnout, imposter syndrome, or the emotional toll of adverse events, OPS offers physicians a safe, structured way to reach out.

Building a System That Supports the Supporters

Launched in 2022 by Doctors Manitoba in partnership with Well-Doc Canada, the OPS program is the first of its kind in the province. Inspired by a pioneering peer support model developed by Dr. Jo Shapiro at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who has also provided training for OPS, the Manitoba version has grown into a fully Doctors Manitoba-led initiative, funded through the Physician Services Agreement with Manitoba Health.

OPS offers more than a helpful conversation. It provides infrastructure, training, and evidence-based backing for the power of peer support.

“Physicians are scientists,” said Dr. Seth Marks, Leadership and Wellness Lead for the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Max Rady College of Medicine. ​“We want to know that what we’re doing is effective. OPS is built on evidence and shows real outcomes in reducing burnout and improving well-being.”

Dr. Marks sees OPS as a formal extension of what physicians have always done informally to support one another. However, now that support is more accessible, visible, and backed by training and tools. His department makes sure all physician colleagues are aware of who the trained supporters are, and he’s available to help make direct connections when needed.

“It’s important to normalize the need for support and reaching out,” he said. The program has helped efforts to develop a culture where physicians feel comfortable seeking support and sharing when they are struggling. 

Making Support More Accessible and Less Intimidating

Dr. Jacqueline Gougeon, Wellness Lead for the Department of Family Medicine at the Max Rady College of Medicine, also sees OPS as a crucial step forward.

“There’s still a stigma around asking for help,” she said. Calling a formal support line can feel like a big step compared with reaching out to a colleague who they know has already stepped up as a peer supporter.

Dr. Gougeon emphasizes that OPS gives supporters the tools and confidence to help without feeling responsible for fixing everything. ​“They’re not diagnosing or treating. They’re listening, supporting, and connecting colleagues to the help they need.”

That clarity of role, she said, reduces the pressure on both sides of the interaction. It also encourages more physicians to become peer supporters, knowing they have the backing, training, and structure to do it well.

Dr. Gougeon said OPS is easy to set up, especially with the framework, training, and administration for the program provided by Doctors Manitoba.

What is the Organizational Peer Support Program?

The Organizational Peer Support Program offers organizations and departments access to coordination and support to develop a peer support program for practicing physicians. Peer support provides confidential, non-clinical emotional support to physicians by a volunteer physician colleague who is trained as a peer supporter in a one-on-one setting.

There is an urgent need for physicians to support each other. The numbers from our 2025 Annual Physician Survey remain concerning:

• 57% are morally distressed
• 52% are experiencing high levels of burnout
• 30% are showing signs of depression

These physicians are 2 – 3 times more likely to consider reducing their hours or leaving Manitoba. 

The Evidence

Peer support is an evidence-based way to reduce physician distress.

“Peer support seems to provide psychological safety through its flexible, informal, and confidential characteristics. The service thus offers doctors in need of support a valued and suitable space that is clearly distinct from a doctor/​patient relationship.” 

Horne IMT, Veggeland F, Bååthe F, Drewes C, Rø KI. Understanding peer support: a qualitative interview study of doctors one year after seeking support. BMC Health Serv Res. 2023

“We found that POST, a physician-focused peer support program, had widespread reach and a positive effect on perceived physician well-being and departmental culture.”

Tolins ML, Rana JS, Lippert S, LeMaster C, Kimura YF, Sax DR. Implementation and effectiveness of a physician-focused peer support program. PLoS One. 2023;18(11):e0292917.

“{A} peer support program is one way forward, away from a culture of invulnerability, isolation, and shame and toward a culture that truly values a sense of shared organizational responsibility for clinician well-being and patient safety.” 

Shapiro J, Galowitz P. Peer Support for Clinicians: A Programmatic Approach. Acad Med. 2016

Steps to Start OPS Where You Work

1. Consult — The organization or department’s physician leads meet with Doctors Manitoba for an initial discussion to find out if OPS is a good fit.
2. Recruit — Invite physicians to become volunteer peer supporters. Typically, this includes nomination by leaders and colleagues.
3. Train — Volunteers participate in a training session where they practice supportive conversations and learn how to connect colleagues with available resources. 
4. Launch! — Promote and share information about OPS and how to reach out to volunteer peer supporters.
5. Support - Ongoing support is provided by Doctors Manitoba, as well as training for new volunteers.

If you are interested in setting up Peer Support for your team, you can start by contacting Kate McIntyre, Doctors Manitoba Physician Peer Support Program Coordinator, at 

kmcintyre@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca to set up an information session for your team.

Organizations receive consultation with site leadership and Doctors Manitoba to determine readiness, review peer support evidence, and learn about program details, as well as up to four hours of peer support training with honoraria provided.

Doctors Manitoba also provides ongoing support to the program, including ongoing training, monitoring effectiveness, and adapting to the needs of each OPS team.