Peer Support Programs for Physicians and Health Care Providers: A Scoping Review

Involvement in challenging clinical encounters can lead to significant emotional distress for physicians. Studies show that physicians prefer a supportive discussion with a peer physician over other forms of psychological support. This scoping review was conducted to identify the critical components of one-on-one peer support programs for physicians and other health care providers.

A literature search was conducted to systematically identify original studies describing the conception and implementation of and/or update to a one-on-one peer support intervention for health care providers including physicians. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed and charted to describe (1) critical components of a peer support encounter, (2) logistical considerations for program implementation, and (3) methods of evaluating a peer support program.

A total of 1,028 citations were identified, and 25 were included in the final analysis. Most peer support programs were for health care providers including physicians (n = 18; 72.0%), with fewer targeting physicians only (n = 7; 28.0%). Principles of peer support identified included confidentiality, informality, and voluntary participation. Frameworks for empathetic listening were commonly included. Creation of a process for escalation to higher levels of care, such as counseling or emergent psychiatric care, was the most frequently described program component. Peer supporters were most often recruited based on peer nominations or appointment, rather than self-nomination. Training of peer supporters, identification of individuals in need of support, and program administration were approached in various ways, dependant on the setting and target population. Utilization metrics and feedback through open-ended or quantitative surveys were the most common mechanisms of program evaluation.

With the tools and strategies outlined in this scoping review, physicians and health care providers may be better equipped to lead change in their departments though the development of peer support initiatives.