A Letter From The Staff

The Missouri Physicians Health Program (MPHP), sponsored by the Missouri State Medical Association, is available to help physicians.

All communications are kept strictly confidential.

The MPHP addresses a range of concerns, including but not limited to what is listed below. We know more than substance abuse.

• 1

  MENTAL HEALTH

  Included are problems with stress, burnout, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

• 2

  DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

  We work with physicians whose “disruptive” behavior has been a source of complaint by associates or by patients..

• 3

  BOUNDARY VIOLATIONS

  Physicians can sometimes slip into boundary violations involving intimate relations and/or inappropriate script writing.

• 4

  CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY

  We assist physicians that have a pattern of substance use (may be illegal or legal substances) that causes significant problems or distress.

• 5

  BEHAVIORAL OR PROCESS ADDICTIONS

  Included are addictions to an activity such as compulsive gambling, sexual addictions, eating disorders, and spending addictions.

• 6

  PHYSICAL ILLNESS

  Undiagnosed physical illnesses, such as aging-related cognitive issues or other physical illnesses, may be affecting work performance.

• 7

  FAMILY SUPPORT

  We assist spouses/significant others of physicians through our De Novo program, as well as other members of the physician’s family when requested by the physician.

• 8

  LICENSURE ISSUES

  Physicians and medical students can avoid future problems with the Board of Healing Arts by seeking professional guidance as to the proper way of completing applications.