Overview
We’re running virtual chat sessions for MDs and MDs in training daily from Monday to Friday.
Stay for a minute or as long as is possible for you and come back as many times as you like. These sessions will be ongoing as long as needed.
At times like this, we tend to forget about ourselves and focus on all the things we have to do for others. The hope is by just chatting and sharing information we may do ourselves a bit of good.
The virtual chats are meant to be a safe space to talk about how we are managing.
Types of sessions
Daily virtual drop-in
Monday to Friday
12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Get the Zoom meeting details
These virtual chat sessions provide an online meeting place for exchanges of support and encouragement, where you can share your experiences with your peers just like in a doctor's lounge. Drop in and leave at your convenience.
Talk about whatever is on your mind, including COVID-19, PPE, virtual care, self-care, and even non-medical interests like sports and music.
This session is facilitated by Dr. Kasra Khorasani, a staff psychiatrist at the University of Toronto with more than 20 years of experience working with MDs and residents in group therapy, group training and group supervision.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, he has facilitated more than 300 groups to support physicians in Ontario, Canada and internationally.
Interpersonal group for physicians
Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Starting September 17, 2020
Wednesday from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Starting December 2, 2020
Email kasra.khorasani@utoronto.ca to join.
Times of crisis put pressure on relationships, but they are also an opportunity to change behaviours and address underlying conflicts. This group provides a supportive space for Ontario physicians seeking strategies for managing interpersonal relationships.
These 12-person sessions run for 20 weeks and are led by Dr. Kasra Khorasani. The sessions are OHIP-covered.
Balint group for physicians
Now accepting members for upcoming sessions:
- January 5 to March 9, 2021
- March 30 to June 1, 2021
U of T accredited CPD
CFPC Mainpro+: 15 credits
RCPSC Section 1: 15 credits
Email kasra.khorasani@utoronto.ca to join or for more information.
Difficult physician-patient relationships create a great emotional drain on physicians and their patients. In this group, there will be brief didactic teaching at the beginning of each session on topics including physician health, interpersonal neurobiology and empathic communication. This will help deepen the Balint-style case discussions.
These maximum 10-person sessions run for 10 weeks and are led by Dr. Kasra Khorasani. The sessions are HIPAA-compliant (private and secure) and are not OHIP-covered.
Pause for Providers
Tuesdays 8.30 p.m.
With Dr. Diane Meschino or Dr. Jennifer Hirsch, both psychiatrists affiliated with the University of Toronto.
Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
With Dr. Mary Elliott or Dr. Orit Zamir, both psychiatrists at Toronto hospitals
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety in our workplaces. Drop in to learn short mindfulness practices to help find calm in the midst of challenge. Open to all health-care providers
Relax, recharge and learn how to incorporate moments of mindfulness in your day. Optional discussion to follow. No health insurance required; this is not therapy.
Physician mental health townhall
The OMA held a member townhall on May 13, 2020, on the impact of COVID-19 on physicians including the stress and distress felt at an individual level, within teams and within an organization.
View the event listing, including panelist biographies.