Get Started:
Complete this brief form or call 614-385-6660

Peer support is intended for any potentially significant emotional stressors including:

- being affected by an adverse event

- feelings of isolation/lack of support

- effects of work on personal relationships

- emotionally traumatic clinical experiences

- being reported to a regulatory agency

- patient aggression

- issues withthe media

- burnout

- inability to effectively care for self

All discussions with participants will be held in utmost confidence. No written notes will be taken by peer supporters. Peer supporters will not share information with employers, colleagues or the state medical board.

There is no cost to participate in the Doc To Doc Peer Support Program.

After calling (614) 385-6660 or submitting a form found on columbusmedicalassociation.org/doctodoc, you will receive a phone call from a peer support physician director within one business day. The director will pair you with a physician who has received extensive training in providing peer support. This peer supporter will reach out to you within 48 hours of being matched with you and will set up a convenient time for a peer support session with you.

Absolutely! Because of the conditioning that happens during a physician’s training, as well as stigmas around asking for help, many doctors are reluctant to seek out assistance during times of stress or hopelessness. If you are concerned about a friend or colleague and want to connect them with the peer support program, you can follow these suggestions:

1. Let them know you are worried about them and that you care about them.

2. Share that our roles as physicians can be overwhelming and difficult and that you personally sometimes feel the need to reach out for help

3. Provide information on the confidential and free Doc To Doc peer support program (information found on the CMA website)

4. Let them know it is common for physicians to feel this way, they are not alone, and an expertly trained physician peer can lend a sympathetic ear and provide helpful resources

5. If they seem reluctant to seek out help, perhaps you can offer to pull up the website for them, or be with them while they fill out the program form or call the number for peer support

6. If they decline help (“I’m fine … I’m just tired”), circle back again to let them know you care about them and to suggest the program. Compassion and understanding will help them not feel embarrassed and normalizing seeking out help will encourage them to connect with peer support

It is important to note that peer supporters will not engage in any clinical treatment or relationship. Peer supporters will provide support and resources for coping only, but can seamlessly collaborate with OhioPHP to provide connections for mental health or substance use resources if needed.

We would appreciate if you could spread the word about this new program to your partners and colleagues! Discussion about Doc To Doc peer support at department meetings, physician lounges, and peer review meetings will build awareness of the program and help to normalize physicians asking for help. A career in medicine can take a toll emotionally and physically. Why not create a movement for physicians to support one another so that we can not only better navigate our careers in medicine, but can also flourish in the process?