Resident Physician Impairment Policy

DEPT: MEDICAL EDUCATION
POLICY #: 8240.02

GOAL

To establish assistance for impaired residents while participating in the Graduate Medical Education Program at Cottage Hospital.

POLICY

1. Physicians are subject to all the same stresses as the general population, particularly in the following areas: finances, family, interpersonal relationships and health. In addition, residents have the added stressors of working long hours, bearing the responsibilities for their patients’ care, attempting to learn and master their chosen clinical field and coping with all the challenges of developing an identity as a physician. It has been recognized that on occasion a physician may develop a problem with chemical dependency or mood disorders which can interfere with training and jeopardize the resident’s career if intervention is not made on a timely basis.

A) Any resident who is having difficulty with chemical dependency, depression or interpersonal relationships, and whose problem may be interfering with his/her clinical performance may be either self-referred or referred by the training program director to the Cottage Hospital Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for intervention and recommendation for treatment if needed. The Director of the EAP deals with issues on a confidential basis. This service is provided to residents without charge; treatment is covered under the resident’s health insurance policy provided by the Hospital.

B) If a problem is identified which is seriously impairing the resident’s ability to perform adequately in the training program he or she may be required to enter a treatment program. Any such treatment is regarded by the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) as a rehabilitative effort rather than as a punitive endeavor. The GMEC may also make recommendations for the resident’s after care and re-entry into the training program.

COTTAGE HEALTH POLICY

Original Policy Effective Date: 10/1993
Last Review Date: 1/2024
Last Revision Date: 10/2017
Owner Title: Vice President Medical Affairs (VPMA)
Owner Approval Date: 1/2024
Committee Approval: Graduate Medical Education (GMEC)
Committee Approval Dates: 1/2024
VP Approval: E. Wroblewski, M.D.
VP Approval Date: 1/2024