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. 18. Licensee – A licensed physician or other healthcare provider whose practice falls under the regulatory authority of the medical board in that state. 6 _ 5. Depending on the state participant, ―contracts‖ can also be referred to as participant ―agreements‖. For the purposes of this document, the term used is ―Contract‖. 6. Depending on state laws and regulations, PHPs may permit program participation of students and residents of medicine or other healthcare disciplines. Section IV - Model Physician Health Program (PHP) 11 Policy on Physician Impairment Boards are referred to the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) Guidelines for the development and enhancement of Physician Health Programs (PHPs). (Appendix III) A PHP should seek membership within the FSPHP and follow FSPHP Guidelines. Implementation of these Guidelines will necessarily vary from state to state in accordance with state legal, contractual and/or regulatory requirements. Whenever possible, the medical boards and PHPs should work collaboratively in the development of effective laws and regulations in the promotion of PHPs for the benefit of the public. The effectiveness of PHPs are enhanced when they follow principles of accountability, communication and collaboration with their boards and other stakeholders. The purpose of a Physicians Health Program (PHP) is to guide the rehabilitation of physicians consistent with the needs of public safety. This involves the early identification, evaluation, treatment, monitoring, and earned advocacy, when appropriate, of licensees with potentially impairing illness(es), ideally prior to functional impairment. PHPs should provide services to both voluntary and board mandated referrals without bias and should not provide assistance or guidance for illness outside their expertise. The provision of confidentiality offers an incentive for the medical community and others to contact the PHP before a physician’s illness becomes functionally impairing. Addressing illness before it becomes impairing adds to public protection. The decision of the licensee to seek or accept PHP assistance and guidance should not, in of itself, be used against the physician in disciplinary matters before the board. However, PHPs should report substantive non-compliance and make periodic reports of compliance based on ongoing recovery documentation to appropriate individuals, committees, boards or organizations on behalf of compliant licensees in PHP continuing care. Ideally, PHPs services should include the following: Wellness programs that address physician health, stress management, burn-out and early detection of ―at-risk behavior‖. Educational programs on topics, including but not limited to, the recognition, evaluation, treatment and continuing care of potentially impairing conditions. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, addiction, psychiatric illness, behavioral problems, physical and cognitive disorders in physician and other licensed professionals. Evidence-based research opportunities when available. Resources for the profession, the public and the boards. The dual role of protecting the public through licensing and discipline as well as the provision of a mechanism for the successful rehabilitation of impaired physicians is the board’s or boards’ statutory public protection mandate. Furthermore, early detection, evaluation, treatment, and monitoring of a physician with a potentially impairing illness enhances a board’s mandate to protect the public. PHPs must be dedicated to excellence in medicine and should not compromise patient care by supporting the practice of medicine during a period of licensee’s functional impairment. It is important that the PHPs are organized and structured in a manner to ensure their stability and optimal functioning. Nationally, the majority are structured as independent 501c3 corporations. Currently, various state PHP organizational / corporate structures exist as follows: Board authorized or board managed PHPs; Medical society affiliated or sponsored PHPs; Independent, not-for-profit corporations; Independent, for-profit corporations. Federation of State Medical Boards 12 It is necessary that PHPs function in a