Physician Health Programs: Examining Concerns and the Need for Reform
Physician Health Programs were created to support physicians facing substance use, mental health, and other concerns that may affect their ability to practice. However, questions have increasingly been raised about how these programs operate, including concerns about due process, the distinction between illness and impairment, conflicts of interest, treatment costs, and physicians’ ability to challenge evaluations or recommendations.
My friend and physician colleague, Lawrence R. Huntoon, M.D., Ph.D., recently addressed these issues in an editorial published in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. In the article, “Physician Health Programs (PHPs): a Flawed System in Need of Reform,” Dr. Huntoon examines reported problems within the PHP system, discusses findings from state audits and litigation, and outlines reforms to create greater transparency, independent oversight, and procedural protections for physicians.
For healthcare professionals, attorneys, regulators, and others involved in physician licensing and professional discipline, the editorial offers a thought-provoking look at an important issue within the healthcare system.