N Magnavita1. 1. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy. nmagnavita@rm.unicatt.it
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: A significant percentage of physicians may be impaired at some point in their career by substance dependence, psychiatric and neurological disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: While the United States and a few other countries have addressed the problem since the 70's, most European countries still have no national or hospital policy to deal with impaired physicians. DISCUSSION: According to European directives on workers' health and safety, the occupational health physician entrusted with medical surveillance of hospital workers is often mandated to manage impaired professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies for early identification, treatment and rehabilitation of impaired physicians are reviewed and suggestions for preventive action in European countries are given.
INTRODUCTION: A significant percentage of physicians may be impaired at some point in their career by substance dependence, psychiatric and neurological disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: While the United States and a few other countries have addressed the problem since the 70's, most European countries still have no national or hospital policy to deal with impaired physicians. DISCUSSION: According to European directives on workers' health and safety, the occupational health physician entrusted with medical surveillance of hospital workers is often mandated to manage impaired professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies for early identification, treatment and rehabilitation of impaired physicians are reviewed and suggestions for preventive action in European countries are given.