The Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) has been dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals for over 35 years. Recently, WPHP updated its mission statement to better reflect its purpose as Washington’s trusted resource for restoring the health of medical professionals. Our confidential support and exceptional outcomes provide reassurance of safe practice and promote workforce sustainability.

Confidential Help, Reassurance of Safe Practice

WPHP assists healthcare professionals with any health condition that may affect safe clinical practice. We offer early intervention, assessment, treatment referral, and post-treatment health support for those in the medical field workforce with conditions that may negatively impact practice performance. In some cases, brief assessment and referral to services are all that is needed to support health and put concerns at rest. In other cases, more help is needed and WPHP is ready to assist. We serve osteopathic physicians, allopathic physicians, podiatric physicians, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, and students and residents in these fields.

WPHP’s Key Outcomes

WPHP consistently receives high ratings for program service and satisfaction from both participants and stakeholders. Approximately 85-90% of participants receiving WPHP services do so without any knowledge or involvement of their licensing boards. Notably, 91% of program participants report needing and benefiting from WPHP advocacy. At program completion, 83% of participants are working in their field and nearly 90% of colleagues report that WPHP is a valuable resource to the medical community.

WPHP participants also report significantly lower burnout rates than the national average. Approximately 85% of WPHP’s program participants are in full remission of their health condition at discharge. Twelve- and sixty-month abstinence rates for WPHP participants with substance use disorders are at 92% and 87% respectively.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

WPHP considers physician suicide awareness and prevention an important priority – one in which we are leading efforts at state and national levels. Through our education and outreach mission, WPHP strives to provide accurate information about physician suicide as well as resources to support physicians, physician assistants, veterinarians, and dentists with health conditions that are associated with suicide.

Advocacy and Credentialing Reform

Beyond health support, WPHP is also active in advocating for license and credentialing question reforms and preserving WPHP protections in the public records act.

Through these initiatives, WPHP is contributing to the promotion of long-term wellness and success of healthcare professionals which promotes workforce sustainability.

Read the full article in the Washington Medical Commission Update