Caring for patients, while also caring for ourselves, can be challenging. As practitioners, we were trained to focus on our patients and sometimes neglect our own well-being, leading to burnout and poor physical and mental health. Providence provides several resources to support you as you care for your patients. These benefits are available to all professional and allied health members, regardless of employer.
There’s never been a more stressful time to be a provider. Dealing with COVID-19, the rigors of virtual care and meetings, perhaps helping to juggle childcare and online school and other family needs, and the sense of social isolation … all add to the inherent stress of being in the health care profession. During this difficult time, please use these benefits as a supportive resource.
Wellspring Early Assistance Program for medical staff
The Early Assistance Program for medical staff is available to all professional staff and allied health members and provides a wide range of support and resources. This free, confidential program is administered by the third-party Wellspring EAP, a highly respected organization that has supported our medical staff providers for several years.
The program provides direct, personalized support, including counseling sessions, for personal issues such as alcohol and drug dependence, anxiety and depression, relationships, stress management, child development and parenting, elder care and more. It also provides work and practice management support related to performance reviews, sensitive conversations, HR issues, concerns between colleagues and more.
Through the Practitioner’s EAP, you have access to a wide range of services, resources, training sessions and wellness tools, including financial consultation, legal consultation and assistance in locating local services, such as house cleaners and eldercare. There’s even a web-based stress management center.
To access resources and support:
- 1-800-553-7798
- Wellspringeap.org
- Username: ProvidenceOR
Wellspring Physician Support Line: a peer-driven resource
This is a free, confidential space for physicians to discuss immediate life stressors with volunteer psychiatrist colleagues uniquely trained in mental health wellness, who also have similar shared experiences within the medical profession.
- Available seven days a week, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 1-888-409-0141
Behavioral Health Concierge for caregiver wellness
This is available for Providence Medical Group caregivers in Oregon and southwest Washington. Support includes:
- Up to 10 free visits per issue, per year
- 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Call 503-537-5900, Option 3.
- Also available to non-employed Providence providers
Community resources
Many organizations are providing excellent, supportive resources during this difficult time. For more information about some of these offerings, please visit the PHSOR Medical Staff Services Wellness Resources page:
https://oregon.providence.org/our-services/m/medical-staff-services/professional-staff-wellness/
Oregon Wellness Program
The Oregon Wellness Program (OWP) promotes Oregon health care professionals’ well-being through education, coordinated regional counseling services, telemedicine services and research. The program is open to physicians, advanced practice providers and physician assistants.
- Up to eight free counseling sessions (in person or virtual)
- www.oregonwellnessprogram.org
- 541-242-2805
Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland
This is a safe harbor for physicians and PAs seeking help, with services that include confidential counseling, wellness education and a resource library.
- www.msmp.org
- 503-764-5663
Lines for Life: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-273-8255
- 24 hours a day, for crisis and support
County mental health crisis hotlines
- Multnomah: 503-988-4888
- Clackamas: 503-655-8585
- Washington: 503-291-9111
- Yamhill: 844-842-8200
- Jackson: 541-774-8201
- Clatsop: 503-325-5724
- Hood River: 541-386-2620
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Please know how much Providence values you and that we’re here to support you, especially in these challenging times. I encourage every provider to take a look at the Practitioner’s Early Assistance Program and learn how it can provide important support. Then please access any of these services as needed. These are, in many ways, the toughest times of our medical careers, and we all need help and support.
Article authored by:
Steven Freer, M.D., FACP, chief medical officer, Oregon Region; Isidor Brill Chair, Department of Medicine, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
About the Author
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