Mid-Career Palliative Care Clinicians: The Power of Peer Support

Palliative care clinicians in the middle of their careers face unique challenges. They need support to navigate these hurdles. A group of five clinicians from different academic medical centers came together to form a "friendtor" group. They met monthly and had a year-end focus group. The goal was to understand the professional development needs of these clinicians. The group discussed major life decisions, setting boundaries, and non-clinical practice challenges. They also celebrated personal and professional milestones. This group provided a space for shared academic pursuits. The discussions were analyzed to identify key themes. The findings showed that peer support is crucial for mid-career clinicians. It helps them navigate challenges and celebrate successes. The friendtorship model offers a different approach to traditional mentorship. It focuses on peer support and shared experiences. This model could be a valuable tool for sustaining mid-career clinicians. It addresses workforce sustainability and burnout in the field of palliative care. The field of palliative care is facing significant challenges. Workforce sustainability and burnout are major concerns. Traditional mentorship may not be enough to address these issues. The friendtorship model offers a new approach. It provides a supportive environment for clinicians to share experiences and learn from each other. This model could help sustain mid-career clinicians and improve their well-being. The friendtorship model is not a quick fix. It requires time and effort to build a supportive community. However, the benefits are clear. Clinicians who participate in this model report feeling more supported and less burned out. They also report improved professional development and career satisfaction. The friendtorship model is a promising approach to supporting mid-career clinicians. It offers a new way to address the challenges facing the field of palliative care.