Physician Wellness Resources

Helping physicians and the medical community for more than 30 years.

History and Philosophy:

“It is a physician’s ethical responsibility to take cognizance of a colleague’s inability to practice medicine by reason of physical or mental illness, including alcoholism or drug dependence…Accountability to the public through assurance of competent care to patients by physicians and other health professionals is a paramount responsibility of organized medicine.” - AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 1973

St. Joseph Hospital established a committee of physicians who volunteer their time and services to assist colleagues in need. There is a formal program in place for assisting physicians. The Committee on Physician Health provides clinical consultation for issues concerning physician impairment, identify wellness issues affecting the Medical Staff, and make recommendations to the Medical Executive Committee regarding advocacy.

Confidentiality:

The Committee on Physician Health is a non-punitive resource to credentialed providers at St. Joseh Hospital. The Program meets HIPAA compliance standards. Federal and state laws ensure the confidentiality of practitioners referred to the Program. Program records are non-discoverable and confidential to the extent covered by law. Physicians who self-refer are not disclosed to Medical Staff leadership; however, exceptions to confidentiality include evidence of imminent harm to self or others through good-faith assessment by program staff, medical emergencies, and court-ordered disclosures. This committee is designed to assist physicians in a strictly confidential manner. The committee is meant to be an advocate, not a judge, of the physician. The committee does not prescribe disciplinary actions but may recommend re-education or other interventions to assist the physician to resolve problems.

Defining Impairment:

• In 1973, the AMA Council on Mental Health published a landmark study, The Sick Physician, estimating that 3.2 percent of physicians suffer from alcoholism, 2 percent from drug abuse, and 1.3 percent from other mental disorders.
• An impaired physician is one whose ability to practice medicine, with reasonable skill and safety, is impaired because of mental illness, substance or physical disability. –The American Medical Association, 1973
• More recent data estimates that 12 to 16 percent of physicians suffer from alcoholism, drug abuse or emotional or mental disorders, a rate similar to the general population.

Types of Concerns:

The types of concerns encountered by the St. Joseph Hospital Committee on Physician Health include:

• Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Chemical dependency
• Mental or emotional health
• Physical and cognitive impairment
• Behavioral issues
• Sexual misconduct/boundary
• Stress and burnout

Accessing The Program:

Physicians and other credentialed practitioners licensed by the State of California experiencing problems can voluntarily contact the program by calling 714-771-8013. Concerned colleagues or family members may also contact the program at this number.

Services:

Initial Consultation, Assessment and Referral
When a referral is made to the Committee on Physician Health, the participant is invited for an initial consultation with chair and/or the committee. This meeting provides an opportunity for open and honest communication regarding the presenting problem in order to review the situation and begin the evaluation process. If appropriate, the participant will be referred for an independent evaluation. If the evaluator identifies a need for treatment, the participant will be referred for treatment and followed by the program.

Monitoring
A participant with a verified problem typically enters into a -year contract with Committee that allows for active monitoring of the participant’s progress. The contract encompasses the participant’s treatment plan, incorporating recommendations made by the evaluator. The committee will monitor the participants’ progress with treatment, vocational status, and if appropriate, the participant will undergo random toxicology screening.

Support and Advocacy
The scope of client advocacy involves providing reports to involved parties on behalf of the participant regarding their status with the program and their compliance, and progress with their treatment plan. Advocacy reports are sent with the permission and at the request of a participant to organizations such as the Medical Board of California, malpractice carriers, specialty boards, hospital or credentialing committees, and various legal entities.

When a participant successfully completes the requirements established in the contract and is in stabilized recovery, the Committee will review the case and make a recommendation regarding continuance in the program. Participants may choose to sign additional contracts for as long as support and monitoring are desired or needed.

Cost: None – The program is free of charge

Contact Information:

If you wish to make a referral, self-refer, or learn more about the Committee on Physician Health, please call 714-771-8013 or e-mail Beth Miller at beth.miller@stjoe.org