Embedded Files
Page 1
Policy on Physician Impairment Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. This 2011 Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), ―Policy on Physician Impairment‖ supersedes the 1995 FSMB ―Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Physician Impairment.‖ (See Appendix I: History of the 1995 Report.) Section I – Introduction In June 2010, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) Chair, Freda McKissic Bush, MD, established a workgroup to review the FSMB’s 1995 ―Report of The Ad Hoc Committee on Physician Impairment‖ and to determine areas in need of revision, which include the following: Definition of terms Description of the types of impairment List elements of an effective physician health program (PHP) Define the value of physician health programs (PHPs) Develop criteria for the evaluation of a quality PHP Identify regulatory issues involved in effectively utilizing a PHP Enhance the protection of the public by providing education about physician impairment and illness that are potentially impairing This new document provides guidance to state medical and osteopathic boards for including PHPs in their efforts to protect the public. There is a need to educate the medical profession and the public about physician impairment and illness that can lead to impairment. This document represents a vision for medical boards and PHPs to effectively assist impaired licensees as well as those with potentially impairing illness based on best practices at this point in time. Future modifications may be warranted as new data becomes available. The goals and missions of key stakeholders, including the FSMB2 , FSPHP, AMA, ASAM and AAAP, align in many ways. This is especially true with respect to a desire to see healthy physicians providing excellent care to the patients they serve. PHPs have developed knowledge and expertise in matters of physician health. They coordinate and monitor intervention, evaluation, treatment and continuing care of the impaired physician as well as those with potentially impairing illness. These efforts require that PHPs have a primary commitment to uphold the mission of their state medical and osteopathic boards in order to protect the public. To gain the confidence of the regulatory boards, PHPs must develop audits of their programs that demonstrate an ongoing track record of ensuring safety to the public and reveal deficiencies if they occur. Such transparency and accountability to the medical and osteopathic boards is necessary to the existence of a viable PHP. 2. According to the FSMB mission: "FSMB leads by promoting excellence in medical practice, licensure, and regulation as the national resource and voice on behalf of state medical boards in their protection of the public." 5 Policy on Physician Impairment PHPs and regulatory agencies agree that public protection is paramount. Safe reintegration of the recovering physician back into the workforce constitutes the ideal scenario. At times, tension may arise among stakeholders regarding an appropriate balance between the goals of protecting the public, on the one hand, and assisting the physician in recovery, on the other hand. This 2011 document is intended to promote better collaboration among all stakeholders in addressing issues of physicians with potentially impairing illness. Workgroup - The workgroup for this 2011 document consisted of the following members: James A. Bolton, PhD, Workgroup Chair; Michael R. Arambula, MD, PharmD; Keith H. Berge, MD; Richard D. Fantozzi, MD; P. Bradley Hall, MD; Dianna D. Hegeduis, Esq.; Warren Pendergast, MD; Judy S. Rivenbark, MD; William Roeder, JD; and Scott A. Steingard, DO. Gary D. Carr, MD and Norman T. Reynolds, MD, Workgroup Vice-Chair, served as consultants. Freda M. Bush, MD, FSMB Chair (ex-officio) and FSMB staff: Humayun J. Chaudhry, DO, CEO, Lisa A. Robin, MLA, and Kelly C. Alfred, MS. Federation of State Medical Boards 6 Section II – Discussion of “Functional Impairment” and “Potentially Impairing Illness” It
Report abuse