Provincial Physician Health Programs
Provincial physician health programs provide personal assistance to physicians, physicians in training and their families. The programs are represented on the Canadian Physician Health Network
Direct links to all provincial and territorial physician health programs are listed below.
- Prince Edward Island Physician Support Program
- Newfoundland and Labrador Professionals' Assistance Program
- New Brunswick Physician Health Program
- Nova Scotia Professional Support Program
- Quebec Physicians Health Program
- Ontario Physician Health Program
- Manitoba Physician at Risk Program
- Saskatchewan Physicians at Support Program
- Alberta Physician and Family Support Program
- Physician Health Program of BC
Canadian Physician Health Network
Founded in 2001, the Canadian Physician Health Network (CPHN) is an alliance of organizations interested in advancing the health and well-being of physicians. See Terms of Reference for more information.
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Prince Edward Island Physician Support Program
Telephone: 1 877 626-3955 (toll free within 902 area code) or 902 626-3955
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Email: airwin@mspei.org
Website: www.mspei.org
Process of contact: Through Alexander (Sandy) Irwin, executive director of MSPEI
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Newfoundland and Labrador Professionals' Assistance Program
Telephone: 1 800 563-9133 (toll free) or 709 754-3007 (local)
Hours: Variable hours; confidential message left at any time
Email: rmlahey@nl.rogers.com
Website: none
Process of contact: Direct call to clinical coordinator by client or concerned colleague; no formal program for emergencies.
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New Brunswick Physician Health Program
Telephone: 1 888 453-7272 (messages returned daytime hours, Monday to Friday)
506 458-8860 New Brunswick Medical Society Office
Hours: 24-hour voice messaging
Email: SanteHealth@nbms.nb.ca
Website: www.nbms.nb.ca
Process of contact: Through the chair of the Physician Health Committee or regional contacts
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Nova Scotia Professional Support Program
Telephone: 902 468-8215
Hours: 24-hour helpline
Email: robert.fredrickson@doctorsns.com or jan.goodwin@doctorsns.com or professionalsupport@doctorsns.com
Website: Under development
Process of contact: 24-hour helpline; response in 12-24 hours (usually immediately); appointment within 48 hours (usually before) but depends on situation and client's schedule
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Quebec Physicians Health Program
Telephone: 1 800 387-4166 or 514 397-0888
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. After working hours and on weekends, an on-call physician is still available. During the night physicians can leave a message.
Email: info@pamq.org
Website: www.qphp.org
Process of contact: The first evaluation is done over the telephone or at the time of first encounter and the formal assessment by an expert is scheduled within 1 to 15 days
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Ontario Physician Health Program
Telephone: 1 800 851-6606 (in-province) 1 800 268-7215 x2972 (throughout Canada)
Hours: 8 a.m to 5 p.m. weekdays
Email: michael_kaufmann@oma.org; cynthia_macwilliam@oma.org
Website: php.oma.org
Newsletter: Connections
Process of contact: Physician Health Program (PHP) staff will respond by telephone, Email or in person, depending on the situation and the request of the individual. The PHP does not at this time provide after-hours service, but appointments are available outside office hours.
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Manitoba Physician at Risk Program
Telephone: 204 237-8320
Hours: Hotline checked daily
Email: none
Website: none
Process of contact: Hotline; referral from College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba; direct contact with coordinator
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Saskatchewan Physicians Support Program
Telephone: 1 800 667-3781 SMA office (in-province only) or 306 244-2196
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Saskatchewan Medical Association.
Email: brenda@sma.sk.ca
Website: www.sma.sk.ca (Programs and Services)
Process of contact: Confidential contact or referral can be accessed through the Director of Physician Support Program at SMA or any committee member. During the initial contact, you will discuss your concerns and decide on referral to an outside agency – or intervention by the Saskatchewan Physician Support Program (SPSP). Intervention by SPSP will involve an assessment of the physician (and family); 2 committee members within 72 hours; a treatment plan will be established.
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Alberta Physician and Family Support Program
(provides some services to the Yukon)
Telephone: 1.877.SOS 4MDS or 1.877.767.4637 (toll-free within North America)
For confidential, professional assessment and access to a broad range of services.
Hours: 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year
Website: www.albertadoctors.org (under Benefits and Services)
Process of contact: Your call will be answered by a staff member from a reputable service provider. Some information will be gathered so that an assessment physician can promptly call you back. When the assessment physician calls, you will discuss your concerns and decide on the best referral(s) for you and/or your family. PFSP's assessment physicians are familiar with the special circumstances surrounding physician health and lifestyle issues.
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Physician Health Program of BC
Telephone: 1 800 663-6729
Hours: 24 hours a day
Email: info@physicianhealth.com
Website: www.physicianhealth.com
Process of contact: When you telephone our helpline, you will be connected to an intake counsellor provided by Human Solutions. The counsellor will quickly determine with you what your needs are and will provide you with access to a network of clinical counsellors. The first two hours of counselling are paid for by the Physician Health Program of BC. Unless you decline, the Human Solutions representative will also schedule an appointment with a physician from the Physician Health Program. If your need is urgent, a program physician can speak with you immediately; otherwise, an appointment will be scheduled for the next business day that is convenient for you.
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