Dear Dr. ,
I had hoped my first message to Doctors Manitoba's members would be a more positive one and in a time of less distress and concern. But with the pandemic and the arrival of Omicron has come a significant impact to our professional and personal lives and well-being. In whatever way this pandemic impacting you, I want you to know that you are not alone.
As physicians and medical learners, you have been working tirelessly for 22 months in a pandemic that has been filled with so much grief, uncertainty and frustration, not to mention the many issues so often beyond our control. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous work and dedication you have all shown. Your commitment to patients and to each other is unparalleled and we are grateful for your continued efforts and perseverance. While it may not always feel like you are making a difference, please know that you are.
We know, too, that this effort and perseverance has come at a cost to you, to your families and, at times, to the ways in which you have had to work.
As the Medical Lead for Physician Health and Wellness, a new role for Doctors Manitoba created last summer, I have been increasingly concerned about the mounting distress and the physical and emotional toll experienced by our members. Doctors Manitoba is committed to strengthening and supporting the whole physician and is working to ensure that you have the support that you need. We are working to shift the culture, expand services and break down barriers like stigma and shame. In addition to our existing physician health and wellness programs, which you will find listed below, there are plans in motion to expand peer support and offer further evidence-based resources and programming in the near future. We will keep you informed of any new programming and ensure you have the necessary contact information as those become available.
I welcome the opportunity to connect with you, Dr. -- physician to physician -- to hear from you about how we may better support you. At the end of this message, you will find my personal and confidential contact information, along with links to health and wellness programming designed specifically for physicians.
The next few weeks may be the most challenging yet. But please do not lose hope. Your dedication to patient care and the public's well-being have been inspiring to all. When this pandemic does end -- and it will end -- it will be the physicians of this province who have led Manitobans and carried them through.
And we will be with you every step of the way.
Sincerely,
