[Impaired physicians: the Israel Intervention Program]

Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders among physicians is a complicated problem. In western countries alcohol and drug abuse are the main mental problems of physicians, and programs of early treatment help them keep their practices without their harming their patients. We describe the activities of the Israel Committee for Psychiatric Examination of Physicians in 1989-93, when 115 physicians were examined. Addiction to alcohol or drugs was rare, but mental illness was detected in 50% of those examined. The results indicated that the committee acted therapeutically, dictating mental treatment and following up on it. Due to this policy, in most cases physicians were enabled and allowed to continue their practices. The results emphasize the need for occupational mental health facilities for physicians and other medical professionals.