Challenges and Accessibility of Physician Health Programs for Physicians with Substance Use Disorders
Date of Award
Summer 2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)
Committee Chair
Michelle Geiman
Committee Member
Jesse Florang
Committee Member
Bora Pajo
Abstract
Physician wellness is an issue of concern especially when it comes to potentially impairing conditions like Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Physician Health Programs (PHPs) exist to help physicians when they are struggling with SUD, but there is reluctance to utilize them because of stigma. Through an action-based qualitative process, this study surveyed PHP director level leaders to gain their perspective on how to overcome stigma and reluctance to ask for help. The feedback from the study’s participants developed a proposed training program to enhance PHPs messaging through education and outreach. PHP director level leaders where emailed and opened-ended survey that asked questions around challenges, improvements, and processes in relation to monitoring physicians for SUD. The responses were then analyzed to develop a proposed training program for PHPs. The study concluded that PHPs and physician stakeholders contribute to the stigma physicians feel around SUD and that education to stakeholders and physicians was critical in overcoming the stigma. The education provided by PHPs required to focus on PHP needs from stakeholders, and PHP purpose with physicians.
Recommended Citation
Heise, Nelson Howard, "Challenges and Accessibility of Physician Health Programs for Physicians with Substance Use Disorders" (2024). All Doctoral Student Dissertations. 181.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/docpub/181