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ERIC Number: EJ806711
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Feb
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-9670
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Our Fallen Peers: A Mandate for Change
Worley, Linda L. M.
Academic Psychiatry, v32 n1 p8-12 Feb 2008
Objective: The author identifies and seeks to remove barriers contributing to physician/medical students' decisions NOT to seek mental health care. Methods: Following a cluster of medical student and physician suicides in one medical community, medical trainees anonymously shared their views regarding seeking mental health treatment in light of the current disclosure requirements for medical licensure. In an effort to identify medical licensure questions that more accurately assess for potential impairment--replacing the stigmatizing global inquiry about past mental health treatment--47 states' medical licensure questions available on the web were examined. Representatives from the state's psychiatric and medical societies joined efforts to formally request the State Medical Board to revise the licensure questions. Results: The State Medical Board unanimously approved the recommended changes. Conclusion: Overcoming stigma within the medical profession regarding seeking psychiatric care is a difficult process requiring ongoing education of our colleagues. Physicians must have the opportunity to seek confidential mental health treatment at their earliest signs of distress in order to maximize their optimal functioning in an effort to prevent impairment.
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. 1000 Wilson Boulevard Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209-3901. Tel: 800-368-5777; Tel: 703-907-7856; Fax: 703-907-1092; e-mail: appi@psych.org; Web site: http://ap.psychiatryonline.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A