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Underperforming doctors. Recovery services.
1New School of Social Research, New York, USA.
The Health Service Journal
|July 1, 1999
Summary
State medical boards in the US help impaired doctors through treatment programs, often including intensive psychotherapy. Some studies show these programs achieve a 75% recovery rate for physicians.
Area of Science:
- Medical licensing and physician well-being
- Healthcare professional impairment and recovery
Background:
- State medical licensing boards possess the authority to mandate treatment for physicians with health issues.
- Physician impairment programs are established in every US state, frequently involving inpatient treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current landscape of impaired physician treatment programs in the US.
- To highlight the limited but available research on recovery rates for impaired doctors.
Main Methods:
- Review of state medical board regulations and common practices for impaired physician programs.
- Analysis of existing research data on the efficacy of these treatment interventions.
Main Results:
- All US states offer programs for impaired doctors, with most mandating a two-week intensive psychotherapy hospitalization.
- Existing research indicates a potential recovery rate of 75% for physicians participating in these programs.
Conclusions:
- State-mandated treatment programs represent a significant mechanism for addressing physician impairment in the US.
- While research is limited, initial findings suggest a high success rate for these interventions, underscoring their importance in maintaining medical workforce quality.