Barriers to Recovery for Medical Professionals: Assessing Financial Support through a Survey of Physician Health Programs

Physician burnout, psychiatric problems, and substance use disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, the costs of recovery for physicians enrolled in Physician Health Programs (PHPs) remain unexamined. This survey study published in The American Journal on Addictions recent article sheds light on the financial strain on physicians, especially those in training, and highlights resources for financial assistance such as fee deferrals and sliding scale fees. It’s crucial that access to PHPs is available, destigmatized, and affordable for all physicians.

Partnering with State Physician Health Programs article featured in Psychiatric Times

A recent article, written by Dr. Steven Adelman, describes the advantages of working with PHP’s for psychiatrists and others who provide care to physicians. 

Thank you Federation of State Physician Health Programs, INC (FSPHP) for sharing this interview with Dr. Chris Bundy and others exploring burnout, the pandemic, and how PHPs can be a resource in times of need.

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Partnering with Physician Health Programs (PHP)

A great article out this week highlighting the importance of collaborating with Physician Health Programs when treating doctors with substance use disorders. 

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President of Doctors of British Columbia message on ‘finding your reason’ during covid

Matthew Chow provides a touching message on finding meaning amidst misery.

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Recent JSAT study, co-authored by Dr. Bundy on physician health programs and COVID-19.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, describes how physician health programs have adapted to COVID-19. Co-authored by Dr. Christopher Bundy, the study explores how these adaptations have helped physicians.  

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Personal privacy versus public safety; an interview with Dr. Paul Earley, FSPHP’s immediate past President

FSPHP Immediate Past President, Dr. Paul Earley, was interviewed as part of the March issue of the Carlat Addiction Treatment Report’s article Personal Privacy Versus Public Safety: Addiction Among Health Professionals. This article explains the balance that PHPs must strike between protecting the doctor and protecting the public.

CARLAT VERDICT: “Physician health programs are highly successful and are the gold standard for abstinence-based treatment. Lessons can be gleaned from their structure and applied to other models, including the importance of a contingency management framework and long-term monitoring.”

Dr. Chris Bundy speaks on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorders (OUD)

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) does not equal treatment with buprenorphine. Dr. Chris Bundy, WPHP Executive Medical Director and FSPHP President, is interviewed on this complex topic:

Doctors’ Exemplary Treatment Success Occurs Absent High Use of Buprenorphine Alcohol and Drug Abuse Weekly – May 11, 2020 article by Gary Enos in the May issue of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Weekly.

“Physicians experience some of the most noteworthy recovery success rates among professional groups, largely because of the presence of physician health programs (PHPs) that offer a treatment-focused alternative to discipline while still protecting public safety.”

WPHP’s 2019 Annual Report

Our 2019 Annual Report is here!

This Annual Report celebrates WPHP’s 2019 accomplishments and honors our partners. While the work we do is complex, it is based on a simple and highly effective model deployed with accountability, consistency, and excellence. WPHP works — the health professionals we support, as well as their families, patients and communities, all benefit from our efforts. None of this would be possible without the support of the licensees whose surcharges underwrite our work; the courageous compassion of those who reach out to us each year on behalf of themselves or a peer; the collaboration among the employers, organizations, professional associations, Boards and Commissions with whom we partner; and the dedication of our volunteer Board of Directors to guide our mission.

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Dr. Bundy’s “Setting the Record Straight”

Check out Dr. Bundy’s latest contribution to the Washington Medical Commission’s Update! In this Winter Update Dr. Bundy is “Setting the Record Straight” and answering common questions about Physician Health Programs.

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