Physician Impairment

AIDHC are committed to the provision of superior patient care in an educational environment, which supports the development of excellence in each Fellow. Impairment of ability to function at each individual’s highest level of performance is not compatible with the commitment made to our patients, or other members of the health care and educational team.

As caregivers, we are also committed to the healing of those among us who manifest evidence of disorders which impair their ability to function at their highest level of ability.

Responsibility of the Physician with Illness

Each physician must recognize in him/herself, or acknowledge when identified by a colleague, any illness or condition which impairs his/her ability to function in the clinical environment. Once recognized, the physician is responsible to:

Assure that patient care is continued in an uninterrupted fashion,
Assure that his/her direct supervisor has approved of the arrangements made to provide uninterrupted patient care,
Assure that he/she receives appropriate professional care for the illness giving rise to the impairment,
Return to duty only when able to function at an appropriate level,
Satisfy any observational or reporting requirements reasonably requested by his/her supervisor, or required by Medical Staff bylaws or AIDHC Policies and Procedures to assure that the physician is ready to return to patient care responsibilities,
If unable to function at an appropriate level, report this impairment to his/her supervisor.

Fellow Impairment
Any Fellow who observes the behavior or performance of another Fellow which is indicative of impairment, whether physical, mental, or the result of substance abuse, should report, in a confidential manner, such observatoin to the Program Director or other appropriate institutional official, such as the Chairman, or Chairman for Education of GME.

All Fellows will abide by the institutional “Drug and Alcohol Policy.”

Counseling services available to impaired Fellows include confidential evaluation and referral, if needed, by a physician in the Department of Psychiatry; the Employee Assistance Program; and the Delaware Medical Society’s Physicians’ Health Program.