|
This CPPPH newsletter aims to keep readers abreast of current developments and relevant information about physician health and wellbeing in California.
All past issues are available from the CPPPH website: www.CPPPH.org.
Definitions
Wellness activities address quality of life and professional satisfaction for all physicians.
Wellbeing activities focus on an individual physician and provide resources for identifying, evaluating, referring, treating, and monitoring for physicians when addiction, mental health, behavioral issues, and the effects of aging are a concern.
Confidential Assistance Over the Phone
The Physicians’ and Dentists’ Confidential Assistance Line is a 24-hour phone service providing completely confidential doctor-to-doctor assistance for physicians experiencing substance use or mental health issues. Call:
Send Us Your Comments
We want to hear from you. Send comments to gjara@cppph.org.
|
Watch for Legislation to Create a New Physician Health Program for California
Expect a bill to be introduced in 2025 to create a new Physician Health and Wellness Program (PHWP) for California.
At its November 22nd meeting, the Medical Board of California (MBC) named Board President, Kristina Lawson, JD and Vice President James Healzer, MD to work with the board staff, the legislature, and stakeholders to move forward with the plan. Lawson and Healzer will be the board members, with MBC Staff Counsel Kerrie Webb and MBC Chief of Legislative and Public Affairs Aaron Bone, who will shepherd the project through the next steps. The first step will be discussions with legislators to identify who would introduce and carry the bill.
The proposed legislation will authorize a program based on the evidence and the years of experience of the physician health programs in other states and on the guidelines from the Federation of State Physician Health Programs.
The 47-page document posted on the MBC website as background includes a copy of the proposed legislation and a detailed history of what happened in California, starting with the Board’s former Diversion Program for Physicians which was in place from 1980 to 2008.
The recording of the Board’s November 22nd meeting, when it is posted on the MBC website, will show the questions and viewpoints of Board members and those who came forward to present comments – both supporters and opponents.
The Board had published its proposed legislation and invited public comment at a meeting of “Interested Parties” on October 24. Approximately 12 people spoke at that meeting, and all but two applauded the approach the Board is taking. Those who voiced opposition spoke for Consumer Watchdog and for the Consumer Protection Policy Center of the Center of Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego School of Law.
The current efforts began with the May 24, 2024 decision of the Medical Board of California to seek new legislation authorizing a physician health program (PHP) based on the evidence and experience of PHPs as espoused by the Federation of State Physician Health Programs rather than a program bound by the Uniform Standards that were put into law in 2008 with the passage of SB1441. The Medical Board voted to work toward a program in line with national best practices.
The monthly issues of the CPPPH Newsletter provide a chronological history of all these steps.
Disruptive Behavior
In a 2023 article, Betsy Williams reviewed the complexity of what is called “disruptive behavior,” exploring the behaviors and their etiologies from the point of view of those, like wellbeing committee members, who assess and respond to such behavior in our hospitals and clinical settings.
The article talks about the range of disruptive behaviors, the many contributory factors, the disagreements we see about methodology, the lack of measures, and the role of the health system in which the person works.
The conclusion is that “a comprehensive approach is required which can include assessment/reassessment tools, individualized programming (therapy, coaching, instruction), deliberate practice, medical follow-up, and system intervention.”
Williams is well-known for her work with high accountability professionals on matters related to clinical competency, substance use disorders, burnout, professional boundaries, disruptive behavior and aging. She is the Clinical Program Director of the Professional Renewal Center®, Lawrence, Kansas.
With co-author Dillon Welindt of the University of Oregon, Williams amplifies on why it is essential to gather background and many details about instances of behavior when they are reported to a wellbeing committee, before a response of the committee is expected.
The article is “Assisting physicians who exhibit disruptive behavior: Understanding the Costs, Contributors, and Corrections” in Australasian Psychiatry, the publication of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
|
