PRI Launches Peer to Peer Program for MD’s
Roslyn, NY – May 2, 2014 - Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers (PRI) has launched a unique Doctor-to-Doctor, peer support program for physicians facing professional liability lawsuits. PRI, one of America’s largest insurers of medical professional liability for doctors and healthcare institutions, was founded more than 30 years ago by medical doctors to serve their peers.
According to Mr. Anthony Bonomo, CEO of the company, this latest innovation continues in the tradition of service to medical doctors at critical points in their careers: “It is a well-known fact that malpractice lawsuits are highly stressful events for health professionals, involving time and administrative challenges. Unfortunately, physicians have had few resources or places to turn for support in the community. We plan to remedy that by arranging interfacing between affected doctors and our staff of professionals to address the effects this experience implies for them.”
PRI’s Doctor-to-Doctor program is a support system designed to fulfill this need and help PRI's insured health professionals who are facing litigation related stress. The program is composed of physician peer supporters drawn from a wide variety of clinical specialties. These peer support colleagues provide health professionals with the opportunity to have confidential conversations with someone who has also been through the experience of a malpractice lawsuit.
Mr. Bonomo noted that physicians have identified the need for peer support: “Following a recent survey, our colleagues have communicated to us a specific interest in such a plan; here are quotes from the survey: ‘such a resource would take away much of the isolation and stress’; ‘I believe support is an absolutely essential way to help cope’; ‘It was never offered to me when I went through it [malpractice litigation] a couple of years ago. It was a very isolating and terrifying experience’; and, ‘It would be good to have time to speak with a knowledgeable individual who can make the time and effort to guide you.’ Hence, we now offer one-on-one confidential peer support and PRI will also be offering Group Peer Support meetings,”Mr. Bonomo concluded.
For more information, contact PRI’s Doctor-to-Doctor Peer Support Program at 516-277-4322 or email [email protected].