GO

FAQ

  Resources   >   FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have any questions, please consult us. Strict confidentiality guaranteed.




Got Questions ?

  • What do we do?

    Our mission is to facilitate a return to a healthy personal and professional life for physicians, physicians in training, and medical students. We identify, assist, refer, intervene, advocate and monitor physicians in need.

  • What if I still have questions?

    Please feel free to contact us. We receive a wide range of questions and those listed to the right are just a few. Every case is different and our professionals are standing by to help you or a loved one on the road to recovery.

The Missouri Physicians Health Program maintains a strict confidentiality policy. Please seek council if you or a medical professional you know are struggling with substance abuse, mental health complications, disruptive behavior, boundary violations, physical illness or any other difficulties. The MPHP provides assistance and advocacy. Please contact us as soon as issues arise, delay can compound risk and complications.

 

   Contact Us 

FAQs for Individuals
Who can be referred to the program?
Any Missouri physician (MD or DO), physicians in training and medical students.
What types of problems does the MPHP address?
-Chemical Dependence
-Substance Abuse
-Mental Health, i.e. stress, burnout, depression and suicidal thoughts
-Disruptive Behavior
-Stress-Related Problems
-Boundary Violations
-Licensure Issues
-Physical Illness
-Cognitive Issues
-Issues Relating to Aging
-Process Addictions, i.e. sexual, gambling eating disorders, spending.

Please feel free to contact us for information or contacts at other physicians health establishments.
Does the MPHP have locations throughout Missouri?
We have talented professionals and monitoring groups throughout the state. Our home office is in St. Louis and we have Regional Coordinators in Columbia, Kansas City, Joplin, Springfield, and Poplar Bluff. We also provide full services throughout the state of Missouri.
What treatment is available to physicians?
The MPHP will provide appropriate treatment resources and coordinate the care of the physician throughout treatment.
Is everyone referred to a residential treatment facility?
No, it depends on the seriousness of the situation. Many individuals can go to local resources available through the MPHP.
What type of aftercare and monitoring is done after treatment?
The MPHP monitors the aftercare recommendations from the treating facility for a period of two to five years depending on the individual’s needs.
Will my career be jeopardized if I come forward for assistance?
No. Physicians that seek help and participate in treatment are looked upon favorably by regulatory agencies because they are taking responsibility for their illness or behavior.
May I call anonymously?
You may call anonymously and be protected. There is no requirement to reveal yourself unless you choose to do so.
Can I discuss with MPHP any pending matters I have with a regulatory agency prior to taking any further action?
Yes. We are available to all Missouri physicians who may be encountering an issue with regulatory agency. There is no cost or obligation to at least contacting us before pursuing that matter with any agency. A client can discuss their personal issues in a confidential manner without the fear of MPHP taking unilateral action. We can guide you through the mediation process and advocate for you with interested parties, i.e. legal, regulatory, malpractice insurance and credentialing.
FAQs for Hospital, Group, and Practice Administrators
What is the relationship between the MPHP and Missouri regulatory agencies?
The MPHP is independent of, and has no direct reporting responsibilities to, the licensure and regulatory agencies, such as the BHA, BNDD, and the DEA. We maintain a positive working relationship with these agencies and thus are able to advocate for our participants when licensure issues arise. Physicians who voluntarily participate in our program have the opportunity to arrest the progression of their disease and resultant impairment before public exposure occurs and before disciplinary actions on licensure and clinical privileges are taken.
What are The Joint Commission requirements for hospitals?
The Joint Commission (TJC) surveys hospitals for compliance with the standard regarding physician health (MS 2.6). This standard requires the medical staff to implement a process to identify and manage matters of individual physician health that is separate from the medical staff disciplinary function. The Missouri State Medical Association has provided a program through the MPHP that meets TJC requirements. The MPHP assists hospitals and regulatory agencies in determining that the physician is practicing safe medicine while being cognizant of the importance of patient safety.
We have a physician on our staff that we would like to encourage to come to MPHP; however, we do not want to make a mandated referral. Does MPHP accept voluntary referrals from the workplace?
Yes. MPHP does accept voluntary referrals. In fact, over half of MPHP’s referrals are voluntary. You may have the individual physician call us directly, or if you have questions regarding the best way the workplace can refer, you can contact MPHP and discuss your options.
Our workplace has concerns surrounding recent behavioral issues; however, the physician's competency and performance do not appear to be affected. Can we still make a referral?
Yes, in fact, evaluation at this phase is very important to identify possible underlying health issues. Even if a health issue is not identified, we may be able to refer for appropriate behavioral improvement.
If my workplace makes a referral to MPHP, will we then be able to recieve reports about the individual's progress?
Yes.  You may receive regular reports regarding progress if the client signs a release of information form allowing MPHP to communicate with the workplace.
If our workplace refers to MPHP, is the Board of Healing Arts automatically notified?
No.  MPHP is a separate organization, independent of the BHA.  MPHP only has an obligation to inform the Board in those instances in which there is an immediate potential danger to patients or the physician himself and the physician refuses to address the health issue.
When we know that our colleague suffers from a health issue, what is the benefit of referring to MPHP instead of directly to a treatment provider?
A thorough evaluation will yield information about all areas of the client’s health.  (You may be unaware of some of the areas affected.)  MPHP utilizes diagnostic and treatment providers who are experts in identifying and addressing the unique issues physicians face.  When MPHP refers to one of these experts, we also conduct ongoing communication with them and with collateral sources, such as supervisors, colleagues, family members, and peers.
May I call anonymously about a colleague?
You may call anonymously and be protected.  There is no reason to reveal yourself unless you choose to do so.
What is a multi-disciplinary assessment?

MPHP frequently uses multi-disciplinary assessments to identify all the factors that may have contributed to a physician’s referral to the program. A comprehensive assessment may last 3-5 days depending on the individual situation and may encompass a psychiatric evaluation, medical evaluation, psychological testing, laboratory tests, review of collateral information provided by others such as the referral source, etc., chemical use assessment, psychosocial history, client interviews, and the review of a patient’s history, etc. 

The Missouri Board of Healing Arts approved facility performing the assessment also provides a diagnoses and recommendations for treatment and monitoring. Since the MPHP does not diagnose or provide treatment, the assessment is of great value in providing guidance to the MPHP and the referral source for determining what is necessary in treatment and monitoring. The multi-disciplinary assessment is a valuable and frequently essential tool in helping the distressed physician.