Troubled Doctors: Addiction & Depression in Medicine

Airs 5/6 – 5/8 during Morning Edition.

Statistics show that healthcare workers become addicted and depressed at the same rates as the general population. However, the fiduciary responsibility that a practitioner has to patients is paramount. There is no leeway for impairment when it comes to patient safety. With this in mind, a non–profit called the Washington Physicians Health Program has a mission to help depressed, alcoholic and drug addicted healthcare workers get into treatment. The program will then monitor and endorse a physician's recovery for five years after treatment. Forty–eight states have similar programs, but with a 75% success rate Washington state is considered one of the best. KUOW's Patricia Murphy explores physician addiction and depression in a three part series, Troubled Doctors: Addiction & Depression in Medicine. Edited by Guy Nelson.

I. The Fundamentals of Impairment

Dr. N spent 10 years battling alcoholism and an addiction to the anesthesia drug Fentanyl. The Seattle doctor found help and recovery through the Washington Physician's Health Program. The non–profit program works to reach out and educate healthcare workers about the signs of addiction and depression. In part one of our series we'll hear N's story and learn about the confidential program designed to help healthcare workers in need.

RealAudio MP3: High

II. The Intervention

Treatment for drug addiction and alcoholism is not a perfect science and recovery is a lifelong pursuit. For healthcare workers, where the risks of addiction can translate into patient harm, intervention is critical. In part two of our series, the tragic outcome of one doctor's untreated addiction, and the intervention and conclusion of one doctor's long road to recovery.

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III. Physician Depression

The head of the Washington Physician's Health Program says there's an epidemic of suicide among doctors. In the final part of our series on impaired physicians, we'll examine the reasons why depressed doctors go untreated and why the end result is often an attempt at suicide.

RealAudio MP3: High