The Practitioner Health Programme: a free and confidential health service for doctors and dentists in London

摘要

Key messages class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc">Doctors are at increased risk of mental health problems compared to a matched population and have increased rates of suicide.Despite these high rates health professionals are reluctant to ask for help and often present late in their illness, often at a time of crisis.Doctors who are addicted and in treatment have very good outcomes.A practitioner health programme, designed to meet the needs of doctors should help sick health professionals present for care.Why this matters to me class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc">Doctors are not immune from suffering from mental health or addiction problems. Doctors should not suffer in silence and should feel secure that they can receive the same confidential service as the patients they themselves care for.The Practitioner Health Programme is a fully funded health service for doctors (and dentists), living or working in the London area who have a mental health, addiction or physical health concerns that may be affecting their ability to work. class="kwd-title">Keywords: sick health professional, practitioner health programme class="head no_bottom_margin" id="idm139900011454464title">AbstractThis article describes a free and confidential service available to doctors and dentists living or working in the London area and who are suffering from mental health, addiction or physical health concerns that may be affecting their work. The service is led by an experienced general practitioner and includes free and timely access to specialist services. The service will begin to accept referrals from October 2008.Please consult the web site for details: