PHYSICIAN WELL-BEING: REFORM FOR A HEALTHIER WORKFORCE Addressing Burnout and Physician Health Through Advocacy, Treatment and Licensure Reform-Recording - PHYSICIAN WELL-BEING: Reform for a Healthier Workforce

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Video Summary

This webinar, hosted by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), addressed physician wellbeing, focusing on burnout, mental health, advocacy, treatment, and licensure reform. Dr. Humayun Chowdhury highlighted the rising physician burnout rates, peaking at 2021 with nearly half of U.S. physicians affected, emphasizing the impact on patient safety and workforce shortages. FSMB policies encourage confidential, non-punitive mental health care access and advocate distinguishing illness from impairment to reduce stigma. Dr. Chris Bundy detailed the role of Physician Health Programs (PHPs), confidential resources offering individualized support for physicians facing health conditions that might impair clinical performance. PHPs provide case management, treatment referrals, monitoring, and support with strong outcomes, including high rates of sustained remission from substance use disorders. Katie Templeton, J.D., discussed licensure reforms aimed at minimizing stigmatizing application questions, promoting safe disclosure, and enabling treatment without fear of punitive actions. She stressed collaboration among state boards, PHPs, and healthcare systems, highlighting efforts like those from the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation to reform licensure processes. The panelists concluded that fostering open dialogue, reducing stigma, improving education about licensing boards and PHPs, and ensuring supportive policies are vital to sustaining physician health. They urged ongoing engagement to create a healthier workforce and safer patient care environment.

Keywords

physician wellbeing

burnout

mental health

advocacy

licensure reform

Physician Health Programs

confidential care

stigma reduction

workforce safety