A University of Saskatchewan mentorship program has been developed to combat the challenges of increasing physician burnout and mental health and wellness, and retaining physicians in rural and remote areas.

It’s for all new physicians in Saskatchewan who are in their first five years of practice. The program was developed by the College of Medicine’s Division of Continuing Medical Education to provide a sense of community and support for new physicians, and to support their professional development needs.

Associate dean with the CME division, Dr. James Barton, says robust coaching and mentoring programs will create a sense of collegiality, and the feeling of belonging to a community. He explains that if you are the only physician in a community, you may feel you have no one to talk to who might understand your challenges, but if you have a coach or mentor, you can bounce around ideas about cases.

The program will match new physicians with trained coaches and mentors to identify professional development goals, and connect them with their peers in communities across the province.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hassan Masri announced on social media last week that he is moving to Ontario. The well known Saskatoon ICU doctor was a prominent figure advocating on behalf of health care and COVID-19 precautions during the pandemic and said openly on social media that his decision to leave is based partly on lack of leadership by the Sask. Party government during the pandemic.

Dr. James Barton says, “The College of Medicine understands and sees when colleagues are struggling.”  He believes this mentorship program will help physicians and in turn, that helps patients. The five-year $1.4-million program is jointly funded by the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Medical Association.