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Identifying and assisting the impaired physician.

E V Boisaubin1, R E Levine

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0566, USA. gboisaub@utmb.edu

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|July 24, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Approximately 15% of physicians experience impairment due to mental illness or substance abuse. Early identification and treatment are crucial for physician recovery and patient safety, with many physicians achieving successful rehabilitation.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Physician Health
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Physician impairment, defined as inability to perform professional duties due to psychiatric illness or substance abuse, affects an estimated 15% of doctors.
  • While not necessarily more prevalent than in other professions, physician impairment may be linked to specific personality traits, background factors, and training.
  • Characteristics like high achievement drive, conscientiousness, and problem denial, beneficial in medical careers, can paradoxically increase impairment risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the prevalence and contributing factors of physician impairment.
  • To emphasize the challenges in identifying and addressing impairment in the medical community.
  • To underscore the importance of early intervention for physician well-being and patient safety.

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Main Methods:

  • This abstract synthesizes existing knowledge on physician impairment.
  • It reviews factors contributing to impairment, diagnostic challenges, and treatment outcomes.
  • No new empirical data were collected; this is a review of the phenomenon.

Main Results:

  • Physician impairment is a significant issue, with an estimated 15% career prevalence.
  • Identifying impairment is difficult due to varied symptoms and physician denial.
  • Untreated impairment poses risks to patients, the physician's career, and life.

Conclusions:

  • Physician impairment requires careful identification and intervention due to potential patient harm.
  • Despite challenges, physicians often achieve successful recovery and career longevity with proper treatment.
  • Addressing physician impairment is vital for maintaining professional standards and individual health.