Small Group Learning

About the Program

Connect with peers in a trusted small‑group setting focused on a topic that matters to you. By joining a dedicated group, you’ll meet regularly with the same peers to share challenges, celebrate wins and explore practical strategies that support your work in family medicine.

Join a Group

How Small Group Learning Works

Meet regularly, on a dependable schedule: Groups meet virtually every four to six weeks for 1.5 hours, giving you consistent connection without overwhelming your calendar.

Learn with the same group all year: You’ll join a closed group of up to twelve family physicians and/or family medicine residents, creating a trusted environment for honest conversation and real support.

Focus on what matters most: Sessions centre on practice challenges and topics related to mental health, substance use disorders, chronic pain and physician wellness.

Guided by experienced peers: Two Peer Guides co‑facilitate each session, helping spark discussion and surface practical strategies you can apply right away.

Program Benefits

• Explore approaches that relate to the issues you experience when caring for people with mental health, substance use disorders and/or chronic pain.
• Gain strategies to find joy in your work amidst the challenges you face in the healthcare system.
• Consider ways to bring ease to supporting patients in the areas where you face difficulties.
• Earn MainPro+ Credits

Important Registration Details for Small Groups

• By signing up for one of the groups below, you commit to attending regularly and participating in group discussions.
• These groups are open to family physicians in Ontario (practicing, on leave, retirement, etc.) and family medicine residents.
• Groups are limited to 12 participants.

This program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 18 Mainpro+Ⓡcredits.

Small Groups

Explore our groups and facilitators below!

Female Physicians in the First Ten Years of Practice

This will be a closed group of 8-10 female physicians facilitated by two female physicians that will run for 10 monthly meetings scheduled over the course of one year. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, respectful conversations around the challenges and rewards of practising family medicine as female physicians. Our goal is to create a safe space where we can openly discuss the challenges of practice- both those that are unique to women and those that are related to the general practice of family medicine. Specific learning goals and topics will be further clarified in our group discussions and will be based on group interests and learning needs.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Nermine Gorguy and Dr. Rachel Shour

Group Dates

This small group will meet online on the following Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m

• Tuesday, April 21, 2026

• Tuesday, May 12, 2026

• Tuesday, June 9, 2026

• Tuesday, July 21, 2026

• Tuesday, August 11, 2026

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026

• More dates to come

Register here

SEASONS (Supporting Each At Stages Of Navigating Sickness, illness and disability) – GROUP FULL

The SEASONS group (S upporting E ach A t S tages O f N avigating S ickness, illness and disability) welcomes any family physician living with any stage of chronic illness, sickness, or disability. This group welcomes physicians, who are either in full-time or part-time practice (clinical and/or academic), or not working at all. We are here to support one another and share our experiences in a safe place as we navigate our worlds with illness and/or disability.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Marina Abdel Malak and Dr. Samantha Lavitt.

This group will meet twelve times on the last Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m.

Group dates (9:00 to 10:00 a.m.):

• April 29, 2026

• May 27, 2026

• June 24, 2026

• July 29, 2026

• August 26, 2026

• September 30, 2026

• October 28, 2026

• November 25, 2026

• December 30, 2026

• January 27, 2027

• February 24, 2027

• March 31, 2027

Register for this group!

Substance Use and Chronic Pain Management-Accepting new participants!

This group is open to family physicians across all career stages and practice models who are interested in a supportive space to discuss addiction, chronic pain, how to bridge gaps in practice and more.

Key learning objectives this group will address:

1. Improve communication skills related to identifying and discussing substance use and SUDs with patients
2. Become familiar with evidence-based approaches to SUDs, particularly alcohol and opioids
3. Increase familiarity with medications used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder
4. Increase comfort with caring for patients at various stages of treatment and recovery from SUDs
5. Identify special considerations for managing chronic pain patients with the concurrent diagnosis of a substance use disorder

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Greg Hariton and Dr. Lori Regenstreif

Group dates

This small group will meet online on the following Mondays from 7-8:30 PM

• Monday, April 13, 2026

• Monday, May 11, 2026

• Monday, June 15, 2026

• Monday, July 13, 2026

• Monday, September 21, 2026

• Monday, October 19, 2026

• Monday, November 9, 2026

• More dates to come

Registration is now closed.

Psychiatry in Primary Care – GROUP FULL

This group is open to family physicians at any stage of their career who are looking for an opportunity to ask questions about diagnostic and treatment issues in psychiatry in general terms vs. consultations on specific patient care issues.

By the end of this year-long group, participants will:

• Have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with psychiatrists and other family physicians.

• Clarify one’s diagnostic and treatment skills in the psychiatric areas of primary care.

• Gain confidence in dealing with psychiatric issues in primary care.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Anu Joneja and Dr. Jon Davine

Group dates

This small group will meet online on the following Wednesdays from 7-8:30 PM

• Wednesday, April 8, 2026

• Wednesday, May 13, 2026

• Wednesday, June 10, 2026

• Wednesday, September 9, 2026

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026

• Wednesday, November 25, 2026

• Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Registration is now closed.

Family MDs with ADHD – GROUP FULL

This group is for any family physician/family medicine trainee who identifies as having ADHD* and wants to experience more ease in practice and in life. * This group is not psychotherapy; if you’re interested in pursuing diagnosis and treatment, please consider accessing the Physician Health Program.

This group aims to:

• Cultivate self-compassion and self-awareness.
• Celebrate strengths and share “wins” as well as insights with one another in respectful ways.
• Create community and connection with others who may have shared lived experience.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Chase McMurren and Dr. Devon Shewfelt

Group dates

This small group will meet online on the following Fridays from 1:30-3 PM

• Friday, May 8, 2026

• Friday, June 12, 2026

• Friday, July 24, 2026

• Friday, September 11, 2026

• Friday, October 9, 2026

• Friday, November 13, 2026

• Friday, December 11, 2026

• Friday, January 15, 2027

• Friday, February 12, 2027

• Friday, March 12, 2027

Support For Physicians Living with Chronic Illness and/or Disability – GROUP FULL

This group is for any physician experiencing chronic illness and/or disability including those currently working in or on leave from clinical roles, and those in nonclinical roles.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Joan Chan and Dr. Samantha Lavitt.

Group Dates

This group will meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m.

• Wednesday, April 1, 2026

• Wednesday, May 6, 2026

• Wednesday, June 3, 2026

• Wednesday, July 8, 2026

• Wednesday, August 5, 2026

• Wednesday, September 2, 2026

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026

• Wednesday, December 2, 2026

• Wednesday, January 6, 2027

• Wednesday, February 3, 2027

• Wednesday, March 3, 2027

Registration is now closed.

Family Physicians From All Stages and Practice Models – GROUP FULL

This group is open to family physicians across all career stages and practice models who are interested in a supportive space to connect with their peers. Judy and Chase, the co-facilitators, hope to provide a place to have honest conversations about the good and the challenging aspects of our professional practices in a confidential and respectful way.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Judy Suke and Dr. Chase McMurren

Group Dates

This small group will meet online on the following Fridays from from 1-2:30 p.m

• Friday, May 1, 2026

• Friday, May 29, 2026

• Friday, June 19, 2026

• Friday, July 17, 2026

• Friday, August 21, 2026

• Friday, September 18, 2026

• Friday, October 16, 2026

• Friday, November 20, 2026

• Friday, December 18, 2026

• Friday, January 22, 2027

• Friday, February 19, 2027

• Thursday, March 5, 2027

Registration is now closed.

Managing Doctor-Patient Interactions and Building Sustainable Interpersonal/Professional Boundaries – GROUP FULL

This confidential peer group is designed for family physicians seeking to navigate the complex emotional landscape of clinical practice. We focus on two core challenges: managing difficult patient interactions and establishing professional boundaries that foster a healthier work-life balance.

In a supportive, structured environment, you will connect with colleagues to share experiences, strategies, and evidence-based approaches. Sessions blend case discussion, practical theory, and peer reflection to enhance your emotional resilience and professional satisfaction.

Session Format & Focus:

• Case-Based Learning: Discuss anonymized, challenging doctor-patient encounters in a strictly confidential setting.

• Practical Frameworks: Learn and apply theories from communication science, boundary-setting, and Positive Psychology to manage difficult emotions and interactions.

• Peer Support: Utilize the group to safely express and process the unique frustrations and anxieties inherent to family medicine.

• Skill Development: Acquire concrete techniques to build emotional resilience and prevent burnout.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants in this group will:

• Deepen their understanding of the therapeutic alliance and its impact on clinical outcomes.

• Enhance communication skills for navigating complex patient interactions.

• Develop greater self-awareness to recognize and effectively utilize personal emotional responses in clinical settings.

• Build a sustainable toolkit for establishing and maintaining professional boundaries.

• Reflect on the emotional aspects of their work within a safe, collegial community, reducing isolation and fostering shared support.

Join us to strengthen your practice, find peer validation, and invest in your professional well-being.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Nermine Gorguy and Dr. Michael Paré

Group Dates

This group will meet online on Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m.

• Friday, April 17, 2026

• Friday, May 1,2026

• Friday, June 5, 2026

• Friday, July 3, 2026

• Friday, August 7, 2026

• Friday, September 4, 2026

• Friday, October 2, 2026

• Friday, November 6, 2026

• Friday, December 4 , 2026

• Friday, January 8, 2027

• Friday, February 5, 2027

Registration is now closed.

Family Physicians Transitioning to or Practicing Psychotherapy – GROUP FULL

This peer support group is for family physicians who are either transitioning to or currently practicing Psychotherapy.

By the end of this year-long group, you will:

• Engage in meaningful and safe discussions around incorporating psychotherapy in your practice, and/or transitioning your practice to psychotherapy. Please note: This program does not provide specific training in psychotherapeutic modalities.

• Give and receive support to and from your fellow group members, share resources that you have found helpful in your personal and professional lives in working with patients with mental health concerns.

• Gain empowerment and confidence as you continue your exciting and unique journey as a family physician practicing psychotherapy – recognizing, validating and navigating the unique physician-patient experiences we all encounter.

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Nermine Gorguy and Dr. Samantha D’Silva

Group dates

This small group will meet online on the following dates from 4:30-6 PM

• Tuesday, April 7, 2026
• Thursday, May 7, 2026
• Thursday, June 4, 2026
• Thursday, July 9, 2026
• Thursday, August 6, 2026
• Thursday, September 3, 2026
• More dates to come

Registration is now closed.

Transition to Retirement – GROUP FULL

This group is for family physicians planning to retire in the next three to five years, as well as those who have recently retired and feel that they would benefit from a supportive group to discuss the myriad of concerns that come with this significant life change.

Examples of themes that may arise:

• How to say goodbye to patients knowing they may not find another physician easily.

• Technical issues involved in closing a practice.

• Maintaining mental and physical health/self-care as we age without feeling guilty

• What to do with the sudden free time and how to create a guilt free bucket list.

• Relating to family and friends’ post-retirement. What changes?

Learn about the group facilitators, Dr. Helen Spenser and Dr. Susan Wilkinson

Group dates

This small group will meet online on the following Wednesdays from 4:30-6 PM

• Wednesday, April 15, 2026

• Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• More dates to come

Registration is now closed.

Propose a Small Group Opportunity

Don’t see a group that addresses the topics you’re interested in, or looking for a more informal group for a limited period of time? Submit your request here.

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Do you have a question about Small Group Learning? Contact Us.

More Useful Resources

Become a Peer Learner

Set goals and gain skills and clinical connections to support your work.

Become a Peer Learner

Meet our Peer Guides

Learn more about your Peer Guides and the experience and expertise they bring to your learning.

Meet our Peer Guides