The Impaired Physician

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The Impaired Physician
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Definition
The impaired physician is a resident or fellow,
licensed to practice medicine in the State of
Illinois, who is unable to practice with
reasonable skill and safety to patients because
of mental or physical illness or shortcomings.
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Purpose of an Impaired Physician Policy

• To assist in the identification, treatment, and
  follow-up of an impaired physician in order to
• Prevent any compromise of patient care, and
• Restore the physician to health and effective
  practice.

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Protocol - I

• A resident or fellow reasonably suspected to be
  impaired in his practice of medicine should be
  reported promptly to his Program Director.
• The Program Director will conduct a preliminary
  investigation.
• If the Program Director believes that there is a
  reasonable possibility that the trainee is
  impaired, he will report the situation to the
  department chair and to the Associate Dean for
  Clinical Affairs.

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Protocol - II

• The trainee may be placed on leave at the
  discretion of the Program Director until
  evaluation is complete.
• The trainee has access to the Schools grievance
  procedure during this time.
• The Program Director has the option of consulting
  with the Impaired Physicians Program of the
  Illinois State Medical Society.

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Protocol - III

• If the basis for the impairment is drug or
  substance abuse, the trainee will be required to
  complete successfully an appropriate
  rehabilitation program.
• If the trainee does not comply, he will be
  terminated from program. Permanent documentation
  will be placed in his file. Appropriate state and
  federal agencies will be notified as required by
  law.

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Protocol - IV

• After completion of a rehabilitation program, the
  trainee may be required to enter an Aftercare
  program.
• The trainee must document compliance to the
  Aftercare program to the Program Director.
• The Program Director will notify the department
  chair and the Assoc Dean for Clinical Affairs
  when the trainee is judged adequate to resume
  work.