Do Addicted Docs Put Patients At Risk?

[OhioChick]

Most States Offer Confidential Treatment While Working
POSTED: 4:30 pm EST December 18, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO -- Troubling cases in which doctors were accused of botching operations while undergoing treatment for drugs or alcohol have led to criticism of rehab programs that allow thousands of U.S. physicians to keep their addictions hidden from their patients.

Nearly all states have confidential rehab programs that let doctors continue practicing as long as they stick with the treatment regimen. Nationwide, as many as 8,000 doctors may be in such programs, by one estimate.

These arrangements largely escaped public scrutiny until last summer, when California's medical board outraged physicians across the country by abolishing its 27-year-old program. A review concluded that the system failed to protect patients or help addicted doctors get better.

Opponents of such programs say the medical establishment uses confidential treatment to protect dangerous physicians.

"Patients have no way to protect themselves from these doctors," said Julie Fellmeth, who heads the University of San Diego's Center for Public Interest Law and led the opposition to California's so-called diversion program.

Most addiction specialists favor allowing doctors to continue practicing while in confidential treatment, as does the American Medical Association.

http://www.newsnet5.com/health/14884014/detail.html

[Old Codger]

1. of course they do N/T

[emilyg]

2. Yes.

[MissB]

3. Most do. House doesn't.

[Wiley50]

4. It depends on the drug

A lot of drugs Doc might self-medicate with don't cause any danger

Do you think I'm gonna be upset that my doc smokes pot?

or valium? Hell I don't think class A narcotics would impair them if they had a chronic pain problem.

I do. Am medicated with Fentanyl and Morphine and feel I'm as sober as anyone here.

Just another attack on people who can't pray their way to comfort