Physician Health Services 2009 Annual Report
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Annual Report2009 PHYSICIAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC., IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE PATIENT SAFETY. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH EDUCATION AND PREVENTION, AS WELL AS ASSESSMENT, REFERRAL TO TREATMENT, AND MONITORING OF THOSE AT RISK. Dear Friends & Colleagues: We are pleased to share with you the 2009 Annual Report from Physician Health Services, Inc. (PHS), a corporation of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society. PHS continues to be a confidential re- source for physicians and medical students who are at risk or need help with health concerns, including those that arise from the stress and demands of modern practice. In sharing this report, it is our goal to spread awareness to all health care providers and administrators of the scope of our services available to support the personal and professional well-being of our colleagues. EDWARD J. KHANTZIAN , MD A powerful story of hope from a past participant can be found on page 11. We hope that by hearing from a physician who has truly benefited from our services, you will recognize the importance of supporting your colleagues and our organization. Should you wish to contribute to PHS, a form for making donations via our Caring for Physician Health Campaign is included in this report. As highlighted on page 29 of the Annual Report, PHS continues to offer an educational program entitled “Managing Workplace Conflict: Improving Personal Effectiveness.” This course is offered twice a year LUIS T. SANCHEZ , MD and includes a unique combination of didactic and participatory sessions to help physicians gain advanced skills and techniques for addressing interpersonal challenges in the medical workplace. We invite you to take advantage of this popular and successful program. Check our website for upcoming dates. As always, we remain available to discuss PHS services and topics of physician health with you and your organization, and we welcome the opportunity to deliver a presentation to your staff. To schedule a presentation or find out more about any of the services PHS has to offer, contact us by phone at (781) 434-7404, by e-mail at jvautour@ mms.org, or visit our website for a speaking engagement form at www.physicianhealth.org. We are grateful for the many supporters of PHS and look forward to being of service to you and the physicians and medical students in Massachusetts. Please share this report with individuals and institu- tions you feel would be interested. Additional copies are available. Sincerely, Edward J. Khantzian, MD Luis T. Sanchez, MD President Director Physician Health Services, Inc., 860 Winter Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 (781) 434-7404, (800) 322-2303, ext. 7404, www.physicianhealth.org INTRODUCTION & GREETINGS .............4 ADDITIONAL PHS SERVICES ................ 25 Table of About Physician Health Services, Inc...........4 PHS Educational DVD ............................. 25 www.physicianhealth.org ........................ 25 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ........6 Vital Signs ............................................. 26 Contents Outreach & Education ............................. 27 A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR .........6 13th Annual Participants’ Dinner .............. 27 GIVING PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SUPPORT GROUPS ............................. 28 STUDENTS YOUR SUppORT: PHS Support Group List ........................... 28 THE PHS CARING FOR PHYSICIAN CONTINUING MEDICAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN .............................8 EDUCATION PROGRAM ...................... 29 Ways You Can Support PHS .......................8 Managing Workplace Conflict: Improving Personal Effectiveness .............. 29 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING PHS & ITS MISSION .............................9 BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN MEDICINE..................................... 30 REASONS TO GIVE: A PERSONAL Diversionary Status ................................. 30 JOURNEY .......................................... 11 MONITORING PROGRAM ................... 31 MEET PHYSICIAN HEALTH SERVICES .... 12 Monitoring Contracts Available The Board of Directors ............................. 12 to Physicians .......................................... 31 The Advisory Committee ......................... 13 Quality Management ............................... 31 The Clinical Advisory Committee .............. 13 Seeking Volunteer Monitors to Support The Research Committee ......................... 14 Physicians in Need .................................. 31 Medical Student Advisory Committee ....... 15 The Associate Directors & Assessment PHS STRATEGIC GOALS ...................... 32 Director ................................................. 16 Assessment & Monitoring Services ........... 32 The Staff ................................................ 18 Strategic Planning ................................... 32 Program Operations ................................ 32 YEAR IN REVIEW ............................... 20 Financial Management ............................. 32 Major Contributors .................................. 20 Fiscal Year 2009 ...................................... 22 NATIONAL EFFORTS .......................... 32 Those Who Have Given Physicians Support for Their Health .......................... 21 PHS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT Case Activity .......................................... 22 REQUEST FORM ................................. 33 Outreach Activities ................................. 24 Introduction & Greetings ABOUT PHYSICIAN HEALTH Organizational Structure SERVICES, INC. The PHS Board of Directors governs the Physician Health Services, Inc., (PHS) is charity to carry out its mission, oversees the a nonprofit corporation founded by the PHS director/chief operating officer, and Massachusetts Medical Society to address oversees the financial management of the issues of physician health. PHS is designed organization (see page 12 for a complete to help identify, refer to treatment, guide, listing of members). In addition, PHS and monitor the recovery of physicians benefits from the expertise of a Clinical and medical students with substance use Advisory Committee, which provides disorders, behavioral health concerns, or guidance to the PHS director on specific mental or physical illness. Luis T. Sanchez, clinical matters. Committee members are MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with nominated by the PHS director and additional qualifications in addiction approved for one-year terms by the PHS psychiatry, has been the director of PHS Board of Directors (see page 13). This peer- since 1998. With the help of physician review committee meets five times each year associate directors located throughout to review de-identified case presentations. Massachusetts, Dr. Sanchez assists The PHS Advisory Committee provides physicians, medical students, hospitals, input into the organization’s non-clinical colleagues, and family members of matters. Appointed by the director, its physicians who may be at risk. members represent PHS’s major funding organizations and health care administrators and physicians who can offer knowledge on the impact physician health matters have on health care delivery. 4 Additionally, in order to address the need When an individual contacts PHS, the PHS assists with a wide variety of personal for scientific-based data on physicians with director and a designated associate director and professional situations. Any one of the health concerns, in 2001 PHS formed the assess the situation and guide him or her following issues may represent a reason to Research Committee. For a full description through the proper channels. Participation refer someone to PHS or contact us: of the committee’s current projects, see page with PHS is voluntary and confidential. * Difficulties managing a practice or 14. The Research Committee meets on a PHS will strongly urge a physician who is coping with a competitive work monthly basis. ill to get help, and although PHS does not environment provide direct treatment, we will suggest Finally, in 2004, PHS formed the Medical specific resource and treatment options. * Financial pressures Student Advisory Committee to provide PHS hosts a number of support group meet- Dealing with administrative burdens a forum for medical schools to effectively * ings for physicians and medical students in exchange information on issues of student * Difficulty balancing work and family recovery, as well as those who are seeking health (see page 15). Comprised of represen- peer support. * Marital problems tatives from the four medical schools in * Compulsive gambling Massachusetts, the committee has become a When PHS determines that a physician has springboard for assisting medical students a substance use disorder, is at risk for impair- * Domestic violence who have been or may be at risk for having ment, or has a behavioral health concern * Challenges with retirement planning health-related problems. It is the goal of that warrants monitoring, the physician is or a career change PHS to enhance the health practices of encouraged to enter into a PHS monitoring * Distressed or disruptive behavior future physicians through early outreach contract. The monitoring contract specifies and education during medical school. a course of treatment and documents the * Professional boundary issues physician’s compliance with that treatment * Depression or anxiety Confidentiality plan and progress of recovery. The standard * Post-traumatic stress disorders Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Physician contract requires individual