How Physician Health Services Works

When an individual contacts PHS about a physician, the director or designated associate director assesses the situation and assists in intervening with the physician. Physicians who are chemically dependent or at risk of professional impairment are encouraged to enroll in the monitoring program.

The monitoring program requires the physician to enter into a contractual agreement with PHS that specifies a course of treatment and documents the progress of recovery. The standard contract requires individual therapy, group support meetings, regular meetings with a designated PHS associate director, random urine drug screens, the cooperation of a monitor who interacts with the physician on a regular basis, and a chief of service who agrees to help document the physician’s abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

Monitoring contracts are available to physicians with behavioral health problems. These contracts are designed to document that the physician is complying with a specified treatment plan.

PHS Services Include:

• Expert consultation and intervention designed to encourage physicians to seek help for substance abuse, behavioral or mental health concerns, and physical illness
  
• Referral to treatment and counseling
  
• Recovery monitoring and documentation
  
• Support groups for physicians and their families
  
• Networking opportunities with colleagues experiencing similar issues
  
• Educational programs and presentations to hospitals, HMOs, or group medical staffs, and at grand rounds, lectures at committee meetings, or at specialty society meetings