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whereIstand editor
645 Opinions
63 Followers
Yeah, I see you point...I could go with either.
438 Opinions
34 Followers
Should doctors with a history of drug or alcohol addiction be required to disclose that information to patients under their care?
I still feel as though the "able to practice" is a stronger debate since it's on the scale of a lawyer being able to practice while under questioning, etc... but I guess I could settle for "disclosure" being the focus...
Hah... that link was old... I didn't even see that photo originally because I just did a search for the same article I originally posted at the time (which had since been removed)...
The more I think about it the more i think it should be re-worded:
Should a doctor with a history of addiction related impairment be forced to disclose this to patients under their care?
BTW, JZ, THANKS for that MSNBC link, the photo of that botch-job on that woman left me unable to finish my breakfast. Thanks on that one, nothing says yum like a photo of a middle aged woman with a bloated abdomen filled with organ rupture. um-hm finger licking good.
The AMA says no, unless the Doctor's treating physician says Yes...
E-9.0305 Physician Health and Wellness To preserve the quality of their performance, physicians have a responsibility to maintain their health and wellness, construed broadly as preventing or treating acute or chronic diseases, including mental illness, disabilities, and occupational stress. When health or wellness is compromised, so may the safety and effectiveness of the medical care provided. When failing physical or mental health reaches the point of interfering with a physician’s ability to engage safely in professional activities, the physician is said to be impaired. In addition to maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, every physician should have a personal physician whose objectivity is not compromised. Physicians whose health or wellness is compromised should take measures to mitigate the problem, seek appropriate help as necessary, and engage in an honest self-assessment of their ability to continue practicing.
E-9.0305 Physician Health and Wellness
To preserve the quality of their performance, physicians have a responsibility to maintain their health and wellness, construed broadly as preventing or treating acute or chronic diseases, including mental illness, disabilities, and occupational stress. When health or wellness is compromised, so may the safety and effectiveness of the medical care provided. When failing physical or mental health reaches the point of interfering with a physician’s ability to engage safely in professional activities, the physician is said to be impaired. In addition to maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, every physician should have a personal physician whose objectivity is not compromised. Physicians whose health or wellness is compromised should take measures to mitigate the problem, seek appropriate help as necessary, and engage in an honest self-assessment of their ability to continue practicing.
whereIstand member
35 Opinions
3 Followers
I would like to see this issue come to a vote.
Seeing as Yahoo! moved the article I originally posted for this issue, here is one from MSNBC:
SAN FRANCISCO - Troubling cases in which doctors were accused of botching operations while undergoing treatment for drugs or alcohol have led to criticism of rehab programs that allow thousands of U.S. physicians to keep their addictions hidden from their patients. Nearly all states have confidential rehab programs that let doctors continue practicing as long as they stick with the treatment regimen. Nationwide, as many as 8,000 doctors may be in such programs, by one estimate. These arrangements largely escaped public scrutiny until last summer, when California's medical board outraged physicians across the country by abolishing its 27-year-old program. A review concluded that the system failed to protect patients or help addicted doctors get better.
SAN FRANCISCO - Troubling cases in which doctors were accused of botching operations while undergoing treatment for drugs or alcohol have led to criticism of rehab programs that allow thousands of U.S. physicians to keep their addictions hidden from their patients.
Nearly all states have confidential rehab programs that let doctors continue practicing as long as they stick with the treatment regimen. Nationwide, as many as 8,000 doctors may be in such programs, by one estimate.
These arrangements largely escaped public scrutiny until last summer, when California's medical board outraged physicians across the country by abolishing its 27-year-old program. A review concluded that the system failed to protect patients or help addicted doctors get better.
This article was released by the Associated Press about doctors continuing to practice medicine while seeking confidential treatment for their own drug and alcohol addictions.
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