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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.
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AB408 Introduced for a PHP for California
At its November meeting, the Medical Board of California directed its staff to find an author for a bill that, if passed and signed by the Governor, would authorize the MBC to establish a Physician Health and Wellness Program in line with national guidelines.
In February, the Medical Board announced that Assembly Member Marc Berman of Palo Alto has agreed to carry the proposed legislation and has introduced AB408 as a “spot bill,” or a place holder, awaiting content that will be amended into the bill to add the detailed proposed language that the Board has prepared. The language the Board will send to be amended into AB408 is the language published by the Board at its November 21-22 meeting.
Click HERE for a copy of the 47-page MBC Staff Report distributed for the Medical Board November meeting that includes the background and history (pages 1-12), the full text of the Board’s proposed language (pages 13-27), and copies of comments received in November.
Readers can track the progress of AB408 from different websites; one is https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/
We expect AB408 to be in print with the first amendments in mid-March and to be assigned to its first legislative committee hearing sometime that month.
Professional Liability Insurance Companies Provide Financial Support for FSPHP
In a news release from last November, the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) announced the financial support received from The Doctors Company and four other “med mal” companies, plus the Medical Professional Liability Association, the insurance industry’s trade association.
“FSPHP is deeply grateful to these professional liability organizations for leading the way with their support: Coverys, MedPro Group & MLMIC Insurance Company, Physicians Insurance, and State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company, each with a three-year donation of $15,000 annually; an initial donation of $5,000 from The Doctors Company; and a $5,000 donation from the Medical Professional Liability Association. These organizations demonstrate their commitment to PHPs through their generous support of FSPHP.”
See the full news release HERE.
FSPHP’s Annual Meeting April 23-26 in Seattle
This year’s meeting of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs provides 23 sessions over four days — Wednesday through Saturday — plus exhibits and poster sessions. On Saturday, there is a joint session with the Federation of State Medical Boards.
For a full detailed agenda, day by day, with topics and speakers, see HERE.
Here are two examples of the sessions:
*Triad of Confidentiality: Legislation, Record Protection, and Licensure Questions that Support PHP Confidentiality
Mary Azzarito, Esq., Partner, Adler Cohen Harvey Wakeman Guekguezian LLP, Boston
*Clinical Claims Data Analysis: Making a Connection Between Physician Health and Patient Safety
Session Description: In 2013, a landmark study concluded that treatment and monitoring through a Physician Health Program (PHP) was associated with a lowered risk of malpractice claims. The study further suggested that patient care may be improved by PHP monitoring as those enrolled in the program showed a 20% lower malpractice risk than the matched cohort. In this session, see the results of a clinical analysis conducted on 6,050 closed medical malpractice claims over a 5-year period.
Susan Montminy, EdD, MPA, BSN, RN, FASHRM, CPHRM, CPPS, Director of Risk Management, Coverys, a provider of medical professional liability insurance products and services, Boston
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