Confidential Professional or Physician Health Program Support

The Right to Quality<br />
Mental Health Services

Almost every state has a Federation of State Physician Health Program (FSPHP) recognized Professional or Physicians Health Program (PHP). These programs provide confidential assessment, referral to treatment, resources, and monitoring for healthcare professionals and those in training when there is a concern that a health condition may be negatively affecting their ability to provide safe, effective care.

So long as no patient harm occurred, health workers must be offered the option to participate in a PHP as an alternative to negative employment, credentialing, or regulatory action.

PHPs must be well-funded and properly staffed to fulfill their mission of improving the health of the healthcare community and protecting patient safety. PHPs should be run by knowledgeable professionals and follow supportive best practices, including choices of approved evaluation and treatment providers, processes for appeal or reconsideration of PHP recommendations, and opportunities for participants to get a second opinion when there are disagreements about diagnosis or treatment.

RESOURCES

Directory of State Programs

Explore the authorized PHPs who provide confidential services to healthcare professionals in need of support for their health and wellbeing.

This FSPHP directory provides health workers, their loved ones, and their employers with direct access to their state program as well as information about each state program’s structure, services, and primary sources of funding.

Explore Now

Accountability, Consistency, and Excellence: Advancing Best Practices in PHPs

Advancing best practices and consistency among PHPs, licensure boards, state legislatures, and employers ensures that where a health worker practices and lives doesn’t impact their ability to access a supportive PHP. Explore three ways to strengthen health workers access to confidential PHPs while protecting patient safety:

1