Can you be a doctor with mental illness or substance abuse?
By Ralph Macey
It is a foregone conclusion. No one can practice medicine in the United States without a valid medical license. According to the medical dictionary, “the medical license is the authorization by a governmental or other regulatory agency that allows a person, group of persons, or enterprise to carry out a particular activity.” No matter how good a doctor is, he or she can’t practice medicine without a valid medical license. So, a medical license is of great importance. Also, after a medical license is issued, it can be revoked anytime if the state government observes the following things:
After a grueling eight years and spending almost a fortune to receive a medical degree, a doctor’s worst nightmare is losing his or her medical license. Yet, many doctors in the US lose licenses every year due to substance abuse or addiction.
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which constitutes around 70 state medical and osteopathic regulatory boards, mandates that doctors should abstain from substance abuse at the time of seeing patients. They should be sober and think clearly when practicing medicine. If any doctor is addicted to drugs or alcohol, then the medical licensing boards can revoke the license.
As per the American Addiction Centers, 10 to 15 percent of US doctors and nurses suffer from addiction abuse or addiction, mostly consisting of Fentanyl and Oxycodone. Like any other human being, there can be many reasons why physicians get involved in substance abuse.
For instance, overcoming the stress of working in a very hectic schedule day after day or dealing with emotional pain. Also, doctors and nurses have easy access to drugs in hospitals.
Doctors who suffer from substance abuse not only risk their health but also may neglect patients. It is usually the patients who report to hospital administration about a doctor’s addiction issue. Many hospitals have physician impairment committees that conduct a thorough investigation of the complaint. Often colleagues get involved out of concern.
However, if the situation does not get under control, then the patient can report to the state medical licensing board, which ultimately leads to revocation of license. Check out the alternative career strategies for doctors.
By Ralph Macey
It is a foregone conclusion. No one can practice medicine in the United States without a valid medical license. According to the medical dictionary, “the medical license is the authorization by a governmental or other regulatory agency that allows a person, group of persons, or enterprise to carry out a particular activity.” No matter how good a doctor is, he or she can’t practice medicine without a valid medical license. So, a medical license is of great importance. Also, after a medical license is issued, it can be revoked anytime if the state government observes the following things:
- The doctor is using a medical license inappropriately.
- The doctor is using a medical license unethically.
- The doctor is disrespecting the medical license.
- The doctor is abusing patients and their families sexually, physically, verbally, or mentally.
- The doctor is prescribing prohibited medicines to patients.
- Doctors use incorrect insurance codes, manipulate medical records, or discriminate between insured and uninsured patients.
- The doctor was convicted of a criminal offense.
After a grueling eight years and spending almost a fortune to receive a medical degree, a doctor’s worst nightmare is losing his or her medical license. Yet, many doctors in the US lose licenses every year due to substance abuse or addiction.
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which constitutes around 70 state medical and osteopathic regulatory boards, mandates that doctors should abstain from substance abuse at the time of seeing patients. They should be sober and think clearly when practicing medicine. If any doctor is addicted to drugs or alcohol, then the medical licensing boards can revoke the license.
As per the American Addiction Centers, 10 to 15 percent of US doctors and nurses suffer from addiction abuse or addiction, mostly consisting of Fentanyl and Oxycodone. Like any other human being, there can be many reasons why physicians get involved in substance abuse.
For instance, overcoming the stress of working in a very hectic schedule day after day or dealing with emotional pain. Also, doctors and nurses have easy access to drugs in hospitals.
Doctors who suffer from substance abuse not only risk their health but also may neglect patients. It is usually the patients who report to hospital administration about a doctor’s addiction issue. Many hospitals have physician impairment committees that conduct a thorough investigation of the complaint. Often colleagues get involved out of concern.
However, if the situation does not get under control, then the patient can report to the state medical licensing board, which ultimately leads to revocation of license. Check out the alternative career strategies for doctors.
Can doctors lose mental illness due to mental illness?
As per the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is illegal to revoke a medical license or stop a physician from practicing due to mental illness like schizophrenia, depression, and schizophrenia. However, medical licensing boards and state legislatures often ask questions about mental illness or revoke licenses under certain circumstances since they are also in a vulnerable position.
Doctors are also human beings with various mental conditions. Many times, even if doctors have a mental illness, they refuse to get treatment in fear of losing their jobs.
The American Medical American, American Psychiatric Association, and the Federation of State Medical Boards are against asking this kind of question to doctors as they tend to avoid getting the right treatment for the license. However, a study conducted by Mayoclinic professor Dr. Liselotte Dyrbye found that doctors are asked if they have any mental illness in several states in the country.
Some of the most physician-friendly states are Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, and Michigan. These states do not ask any questions related to mental health. Again, some states like California, Kansas, Georgia, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas, and West Virginia ask a lot of mental health questions to the applicants.
Indeed, doctors face lots of questions from the state medical licensing board if they write down about their mental illness in the annual review renewal form.
Sometimes, doctors have to show the detailed medical records of the psychotherapy sessions and letters from the psychiatrists. If the state medical licensing board finds that a doctor or a physician has severe mental health issues, then he or she may lose his medical license temporarily. A doctor with depression (even if it was three years ago) has to prove his competence. Otherwise, his/her medical license may be temporarily suspended.
What happens after the treatment is over?
Most doctors have to complete physician health programs as the state licensure commission keeps their medical licenses on hold. Physicians complete this program to reinstate their license after some time.
1. After a successful conclusion of the treatment, the treatment provider will release and submit all treatment-related documents to the PHP.
2. PHP will determine the doctor’s suitability resume work depending on the following factors:
* Steady recovery progress
* Physician’s safety to practice
* Ability to look after patients and take care of other professional duties
3. The medical license board may conduct a face-to-face meeting with the physician and PHP staff to get an idea about his/her progress.
As per the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is illegal to revoke a medical license or stop a physician from practicing due to mental illness like schizophrenia, depression, and schizophrenia. However, medical licensing boards and state legislatures often ask questions about mental illness or revoke licenses under certain circumstances since they are also in a vulnerable position.
Doctors are also human beings with various mental conditions. Many times, even if doctors have a mental illness, they refuse to get treatment in fear of losing their jobs.
The American Medical American, American Psychiatric Association, and the Federation of State Medical Boards are against asking this kind of question to doctors as they tend to avoid getting the right treatment for the license. However, a study conducted by Mayoclinic professor Dr. Liselotte Dyrbye found that doctors are asked if they have any mental illness in several states in the country.
Some of the most physician-friendly states are Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, and Michigan. These states do not ask any questions related to mental health. Again, some states like California, Kansas, Georgia, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas, and West Virginia ask a lot of mental health questions to the applicants.
Indeed, doctors face lots of questions from the state medical licensing board if they write down about their mental illness in the annual review renewal form.
Sometimes, doctors have to show the detailed medical records of the psychotherapy sessions and letters from the psychiatrists. If the state medical licensing board finds that a doctor or a physician has severe mental health issues, then he or she may lose his medical license temporarily. A doctor with depression (even if it was three years ago) has to prove his competence. Otherwise, his/her medical license may be temporarily suspended.
What happens after the treatment is over?
Most doctors have to complete physician health programs as the state licensure commission keeps their medical licenses on hold. Physicians complete this program to reinstate their license after some time.
1. After a successful conclusion of the treatment, the treatment provider will release and submit all treatment-related documents to the PHP.
2. PHP will determine the doctor’s suitability resume work depending on the following factors:
* Steady recovery progress
* Physician’s safety to practice
* Ability to look after patients and take care of other professional duties
3. The medical license board may conduct a face-to-face meeting with the physician and PHP staff to get an idea about his/her progress.
What steps doctors need to take after they recover
Here are a few steps that physicians have to take after they complete the PHP and recover.
Conclusion
According to FSMB.org, “The PHP (Physician Health Program) should determine suitability to return to work from the standpoint of disease stability or remission as applicable. PHPs should monitor, modify worksite situations, and limit or restrict work hours when appropriate. If indicated, the participant may have PHP restricted workplace access to mind or mood-altering substances. If concerns of potential impairment arise, participants should be voluntarily withdrawn from practice pending further evaluation. In all cases, the PHP must assume responsibility for removing participants from practice if they pose a danger to the public.”
Doctors can practice medicine with full safety precautions, but they still need to be under periodic monitoring or have to complete the impaired physician program.
In the worst scenarios, either they have to work with a restricted license or their license is temporarily suspended. If suspended, doctors will have to file for reinstatement a year later. Once they fulfill the requirements of the state medical boards, they will get their license back.
See also - How to become a licensed doctor in the USA.
Author Bio: Ralph Macey, a professional writer since 2008 and medical health/patient care coordinator at savantcare.com since 2014, writes articles on mental health, depression, and anxiety. He holds a degree and two professional certifications in his field and continues to upgrade his knowledge with additional classes and seminars. He has provided mental health consultations and private fitness instructions for free in his local community.
Here are a few steps that physicians have to take after they complete the PHP and recover.
- Physicians have to apply for reinstatement of their medical license.
- Physicians must provide all documents as evidence that they fulfill all current licensure eligibility requirements.
- Physicians have to appear before the state medical licensing board for reinstatement of licenses.
Conclusion
According to FSMB.org, “The PHP (Physician Health Program) should determine suitability to return to work from the standpoint of disease stability or remission as applicable. PHPs should monitor, modify worksite situations, and limit or restrict work hours when appropriate. If indicated, the participant may have PHP restricted workplace access to mind or mood-altering substances. If concerns of potential impairment arise, participants should be voluntarily withdrawn from practice pending further evaluation. In all cases, the PHP must assume responsibility for removing participants from practice if they pose a danger to the public.”
Doctors can practice medicine with full safety precautions, but they still need to be under periodic monitoring or have to complete the impaired physician program.
In the worst scenarios, either they have to work with a restricted license or their license is temporarily suspended. If suspended, doctors will have to file for reinstatement a year later. Once they fulfill the requirements of the state medical boards, they will get their license back.
See also - How to become a licensed doctor in the USA.
Author Bio: Ralph Macey, a professional writer since 2008 and medical health/patient care coordinator at savantcare.com since 2014, writes articles on mental health, depression, and anxiety. He holds a degree and two professional certifications in his field and continues to upgrade his knowledge with additional classes and seminars. He has provided mental health consultations and private fitness instructions for free in his local community.