Impaired doctors. The modern approach of medical boards.

BACKGROUND

Australian medical boards now emphasize treatment and rehabilitation, where possible, for doctors who are ill or drug dependent and hence impaired.

OBJECTIVE

This article describes the processes and experience of the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria following the introduction of the Medical Practice Act 1994.

DISCUSSION

Impaired practitioner programs usually encompass: assessment by an independent relevant specialist negotiation of appropriate conditions on practice to ensure both community protection and support for the doctor during treatment and rehabilitation medical supervision, regular urine testing and appropriate conditions on practice for drug dependent doctors. Difficult issues can arise in relation to ageing doctors, psychotic doctors lacking in insight and drug dependency with extreme denial. While results of rehabilitation are encouraging, the profession needs to do even more in regard to prevention, early detection and provision of high speciality treatment and rehabilitation.