Changes to Confidentiality Rules About Mental Health Treatment for Health Care Professionals
Rules are changing about whether mental health care for doctors is confidential; do you know whether your state protects your confidentiality should you opt to seek care?
What
Many physicians experience burnout and stress, but not all who would benefit from mental health treatment seek it out. Barriers include stigma, invasive monitoring methods, and even the potential for a medical license to be suspended or revoked (justified sometimes by state medical boards in their efforts to preserve patient safety). These measures have been known to prevent physicians from accessing care. States like Montana, which is the latest of a dozen so far to make changes to its confidential care programs and resources, are trying to implement solutions to allow physicians greater freedom to seek mental health treatment.
