Who Has Access to Information Contained in IPHP Files?
State law mandates that information about IPHP participants be kept confidential as long as participants are in compliance with program requirements. This means information about a participant will not become a matter of public record, i.e., be reported to the Board, the National Practitioner Data Bank, or the news media. The IPHP only provides information about participants to the Board when they are not in compliance with the terms of their agreements or contracts. Fortunately, this is a rare occurrence because participants are given clear and fair guidelines for remaining in good standing with the program.
What happens when my spouse or loved one self reports?
Chances are good that you are experiencing anxiety as a result of your loved one’s recent self report to the IPHP. Please be reassured that the IPHP was established in 1996 to be a support for physicians struggling with impairment issues related to substance abuse, mental health issues, or physical disability; we are not a disciplinary program. The IPHP considers a physician’s self report to be a positive first step toward bringing a potentially harmful situation under control before one’s professional reputation is damaged.
We want to reassure you that your family is not alone in facing this issue; it is estimated that thirty percent of the physician population will deal with impairment at some point in their careers. It has been our experience that physicians have an excellent track record in handling their impairment issues once they ask for help. You will be surprised by the amount of support you will receive from the medical community once your spouse decides to address his or her problem proactively.
You are probably worried about what will happen once your loved one has self reported. The IPHP will gather information about your spouse’s situation and make referrals for evaluation, if needed. The IPHP then works with the physician to get needed supports in place to insure they are able to continue to practice safely. The majority of physicians participating in our program are actively practicing.
The IPHP is aware this can be a very frightening and stressful time for physicians and their families. We encourage you to be supportive of each other and ask for help if you need it. Individual or family counseling may be helpful during this time. Al-Anon is also a great support for families dealing with substance abuse. You may obtain information from the organization’s website www.al-anon.org or by calling 1-888-425-2666. Dr. Greg Skipper of the Alabama Physician Health Program has established an egroup for medical spouses. Contact Dr. Skipper at gregskipper@usa.net to join.
We know physicians do better when their families are stable. If there is anything we can do to be of assistance, please feel free to call 515-281-6491 for more information.
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