How are sessions structured and how long are they?  

PEERS sessions can occur monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, depending on the nature of the medical or graduate program, and typically last between 60 to 90 minutes. The PEERS curriculum can be tailored to the respective trainees’ needs and adapted for virtual, in-person, or hybrid models.

Who facilitates the PEERS sessions?

Sessions are typically co-facilitated by either two student/trainee PEERS Facilitators or a student/trainee facilitator and a Social Work Wellness Advisor. Depending on the size of your respective program, more student or trainees serving as PEERS Facilitators will be required.

What are some of the topics covered during PEERS sessions?

The following topics are samples from the PEERS Core Curriculum. In addition to these and other core sessions, PEERS Facilitators may work with the PEERS administrative team and your program’s administrators to develop new sessions and customizable versions of the curriculum once the program is underway to meet the unique needs of their programs. 

Who are PEERS sessions for? 

PEERS is for any medical school, residency or fellowship program, or graduate-level program wanting to offer a peer-led well-being program to their students and trainees. PEERS can be integrated into current well-being curriculums or didactic times and can be a useful supplement to larger wellness efforts.

What are the benefits of incorporating PEERS into my medical education or graduate training program?  

Through structured sessions informed by positive psychology, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral techniques, the curriculum addresses specific challenges and wellness concerns that arise in clinical and scientific training. The PEERS program equips students and trainees with a space to build community and learn relevant skills to face adversity and develop sustainable ways to support their well-being during their training years and beyond.  

I am a student or trainee interested in taking on a leadership role in the well-being space. Is PEERS a good fit for me?

Absolutely! Interested students and trainees can elect to become PEERS Facilitators. PEERS Facilitators serve in a longitudinal well-being role within their training program. Under the supervision and mentorship of the PEERS leadership team, PEERS Facilitators receive specialized training in group dynamics and evidence-based well-being practices, organize and facilitate PEERS sessions, and help ensure the longevity and sustainability of PEERS within their program. This role is flexible and ideal for any students or trainees with an interest in pursuing leadership roles in medical education, academia, or well-being promotion and research. 

How is the program supported at Mount Sinai and where is it currently implemented?  

The program is overseen by the Office of Well-being & Resilience (OWBR) in close collaboration with your training program. PEERS is currently being administered to all medical students, select medical residency and fellowship programs, and first-year graduate students at ISMMS.   

How do I learn more or bring PEERS to my training program? 

Connect with your program’s faculty Well-Being Champion, program director, or contact the PEERS Faculty Advisor, Dr. Jacqueline Hargrove, at Jacqueline.Hargrove@mountsinai.org expressing your interest! 

If you work for a medical education or graduate school institution, training hospital, or health system and want to implement a similar program, we would be happy to advise you. Please email our program coordinator, Patricia Makatsaria, at Patricia.Makatsaria@mountsinai.org.