Call 425.690.7626

What is the Peer Support Program?

The UW-VMC Peer Support Program has been created to serve all members of our medical staff to provide confidential support by peers who also work here at VMC. They not only listen, provide support, and offer perspective, but also focus on practical coping methods. The need for peer support grew out of research documenting the declining well-being of physicians.

Peer Supporters are “Unpaid volunteers who believe that our physicians and other medical staff deserve to be encouraged during the difficult clinical experiences that all physicians/medical staff face at times in their medical careers” (as defined by Stanford Medicine, a recognized leader in this area). Peer Supporters presented with issues like the stress created by medical errors, adverse outcomes, litigation, and personal life stressors -- including pandemic fatigue.

How does the Peer Support Program Work?

Any provider on staff at VMC who feels the need for peer support, due to any stressors, are encouraged to call and leave a message. Messages will be retrieved within 72 hours by Peer Supporters (only) and then deleted. The Peer Supporter get in touch with the caller to arrange a meeting. After the initial meeting, both individuals decide whether they will meet again, but it’s really up to the provider being supported.

A Peer Supporter does not keep notes of conversations. This process is a proceeding of the hospital medical staff and is legally protected from discovery. A Peer Supporter is expected to maintain strict confidentiality unless the medical staff member is considered to be in danger to themselves, others, or gravely disabled – that is, deemed to be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

I invite you to call if needed. Previous medical staff have benefitted from this service. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Ron Cohen, MD
UW-VMC Medical Director for Clinician Wellness
ron_cohen@valleymed.org, 425.690.7613