Identifying and assisting the impaired physician.

摘要: An impaired physician is one unable to fulfill professional or personal responsibilities because of psychiatric illness, alcoholism, drug dependency. Current estimates are that approximately 15% physicians will be at some point in their careers. Although may not have higher rates impairment compared with other professionals, factors background, personality, and training contribute predispose them abuse mental particularly depression. Many possess a strong drive for achievement, exceptional conscientiousness, an ability deny problems. These attributes advantageous "success" medicine; ironically, however, they also impairment. Identifying often difficult the manifestations varied typically suppress any suggestion problem. Identification essential patient well-being stake, untreated result loss license, health problems, even death. Fortunately, once identified treated, do better recovery than others can return productive career satisfying family life.