Advancing Physician Mental Health Through Support and Advocacy

Physician mental health remains a critical issue in healthcare, with recent data revealing both persistent challenges and signs of progress. Nationwide, there is growing momentum to improve the mental health of healthcare workers. Institutions and organizations are increasingly recognizing that supporting employee well-being is not just ethical, it’s a smart business strategy with measurable benefits. 

In the latest edition of the Washington Medical Commission’s newsletter, an article by Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Medical Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), outlines how WPHP collaborates with local and national partners to address systemic barriers to mental health care and advocates for essential reforms in licensing and credentialing for healthcare professionals. 

WPHP’s ongoing work with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and UW Medicine continues to shine a spotlight on advancing the health and well-being of healthcare professionals and fostering a culture of support within the medical community. Impactful changes occur through united advocacy. 

Read more about these joint efforts in the Washington Medical Commission’s newsletter.

What is the Washington Physicians Health Program & How it Helps the Medical Community

A new article by Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Medical Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), is featured in the latest edition of the Washington Medical Commission’s newsletter, Update! In this spring issue, Dr. Bundy answers commonly asked questions about WPHP, its mission, confidentiality, and funding.  

What is WPHP and who does it serve? 

For more than 35 years, WPHP has earned a reputation as Washington’s trusted resource for restoring the health of medical professionals. WPHP offers early intervention, assessment, treatment referral, and post-treatment health support for those in the medical 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. 

WPHP serves Osteopathic Physicians, Allopathic Physicians, Podiatric Physicians, Anesthesiology Assistants, Physician Assistants, Dentists, and Veterinarians as well as students and residents of these disciplines. 

What health conditions does WPHP help with?  

WPHP assists healthcare professionals with any health condition that may impact clinical performance. Examples include mental health disorders, nonpsychiatric health conditions, cognitive concerns, substance-related concerns, depression, anxiety, suicidal thinking and behavior, burnout, trauma, and stress. 

How is WPHP funded? 

WPHP is primarily funded by a special license surcharge that is paid by the license holders who are eligible to participate in WPHP. The program is not funded by taxpayer dollars or from regulatory program budgets. WPHP also receives donations which help WPHP assist healthcare professionals, conduct research, and provide scholarships for those who could not otherwise afford treatment. 

Is WPHP part of the Washington Medical Commission (WMC)? 

WPHP is an independent non-profit organization that is contracted by the Department of Health to assist physicians and physician assistants confidentially without the involvement of the WMC. Understanding that WPHP is completely separate from the WMC can provide reassurance that participation in WPHP will not somehow become known to the regulator. 

How confidential is the program? 

WPHP’s commitment to confidentiality and privacy is unwavering. Existing state and federal laws allow WPHP to protect the identity of participants and referent(s) when they follow WPHP recommendations and do not pose a risk to themselves or their patients. In 90% of cases, WPHP participants’ identities, circumstances, and participation remain confidential and do not involve disclosure to the applicable state regulatory entity.

Read the full article in the Washington Medical Commission newsletter

Fostering a Resilient and Thriving Healthcare Workforce

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

The WMC Fall Update: WPHP Program Updates

WPHP is excited to share key updates and advancements for 2024. These efforts highlight our commitment to supporting Washington’s medical professionals and enhancing the services we provide.

This year, WPHP launched a Strategic Communications Plan, updating our mission, vision, and values to better reflect our role in the medical community. WPHP has also increased communications and revamped our outreach efforts to raise visibility about our program and services.

The new Quality Assurance Team has streamlined operations, improving efficiency for staff and participants alike. Notably, the team has pioneered innovations in toxicology testing, further enhancing the quality of our services.

In news regarding WPHP leadership, Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Medical Director, has been appointed the first-ever Chief Medical Officer for the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP), a significant milestone for both Dr. Bundy and WPHP. Dr. Bundy will be serving in a consulting capacity for FSPHP as he continues his full-time role as WPHP’s Executive Medical Director.

WPHP also continues its advocacy efforts, pushing for reforms in licensing and credentialing while protecting medical professionals’ privacy under the public records act.

These developments underscore WPHP’s dedication to supporting the health and well-being of medical professionals across Washington. For a more detailed look into these updates and the ongoing work at WPHP, click the link below for the full article.

WMC Update!

WPHP Advocacy

Learn more about our advocacy work and the positive changes we’ve made in the latest edition of the WMC newsletter!

Read the full update here.

An Update on the Washington Practitioner Application

Check out this edition of WSMA’s Weekly Rounds to learn more about the updated Washington Practitioner Application. A big thank you to Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) , Washington Medical Commission , and Washington Credentialing Standardization Group (WCSG) for all your support along this journey!

WPHP Advocates For Participants

WPHP works to protect and enhance the confidentiality of our participants. We’ve compiled a list to highlight some of the hard work we’ve done over the past year.

Recently, Dr. Bundy interviewed with InvestigateTV to explain how confidentiality for physicians translates to safer care for patients.

A few weeks ago, in partnership with the Washington State Medical Association and the Washington Medical Commission, WPHP was successful in preserving an important protection for participant confidentiality in the public records act. 

WPHP introduced legislation in 2022 that adds enhanced confidentiality protections for program participants. SSB 5496 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

In November 2021, WPHP worked closely with the Washington Medical Commission to remove licensure questions about health history, replacing them with an advisory that points to WPHP. The amended application only asks about current impairing or potentially impairing substance use that is not known to WPHP.

WMC Summer Update features article by Dr. Bundy!

See Dr. Bundy’s article, “WPHP Q and A,” in the latest edition of The Washington Medical Commission’s newsletter, Update!  

Dr. Bundy discusses the impact of COVID-19 on frontline workers in the Washington Medical Commission Spring 2021 Update

The Washington Medical Commission Spring 2021 Update features the WPHP Report highlighting a study about frontline workers and COVID-19.  

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Thank you, FSMB!

“Thank you to the Federation of State Medical Boards for recognizing the collaboration between WPHP and the https://wmc.wa.gov/ in reforming licensure questions in order to combat stigma and remove an important barrier to seeking care among health professionals.”– Dr. Chris Bundy, WPHP Executive Medical Director

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Dr. Bundy weighs in on the future of health care post COVID-19

In the Washington Medical Commission Summer 2020 Update, Dr. Bundy speaks on how COVID-19 has sparked challenges for the health care workforce, and simultaneously created the opportunity to reshape the industry moving forward.

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Setting the Record Straight

Check out Dr. Bundy’s three part series in the Washington Medical Commission’s Update! In this series Dr. Bundy is “Setting the Record Straight” and answering common questions about Physician Health Programs.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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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