A framework for success: Compassionate interventions to support healthcare colleagues when concerns arise

Physicians suffer from the same medical, emotional, and psychiatric illnesses that those in non-medical careers do. These conditions may impair their performance, which could prove detrimental to the patients whose lives we are responsible for, especially in the specialty of anesthesiology. Yet, many physicians are reluctant to address their colleagues when performance appears impaired. In 2003, we implemented a substance use disorder (SUD) prevention program. Over the subsequent 20 years, the program evolved to include the critical component of professional intervention. Central to these interventions are prompt action, recognition of uncertainty, and a strong commitment to professionalism. The process emphasizes privacy, fairness, and dignity, with consistent application across all cases. Although our system arose from an effort to reduce substance use disorders, we believe that the process can be applied to other specialties even when drug testing is not involved.