Why Refer An Impaired Veterinary Professional to the AVWP? 12/05/2007

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Gregory E. Skipper, M.D., FASAM          
Medical Director – AVWP

What do you do if you or another veterinary professional you know has a problem that could cause impairment? The problem could be burnout, depression, or a problem with alcohol or drugs. These kinds of problems are embarrassing and difficult to face. If impairment occurs then a licensed professional can loose their license and career.

There is usually a desire to do something, to preserve reputations and careers, but because of stigma or indecision we sometimes wait and wait and hope things get better. They often get worse.

Human beings have problems! Veterinary professionals are human beings. Therefore, veterinary professionals have problems. This seems obvious, however, many health professionals resist the idea that they are vulnerable. We have the false sense that having medical knowledge somehow protects us from illness.

Doctors don’t seem to take good care of themselves in general. We know from research that health professionals tend to seek general medical check-ups less often than controls and tend to wait longer before seeking consultation for serious symptoms.  We tend to diagnose and treat ourselves and/or obtain treatment from friends.  Doctors seem to have difficulty in accepting the role of the patient and fear the potential or real loss of status and authority associated with becoming a patient.  

Stress, depression, anxiety, and chemical dependence among physicians are significant problems with a lifetime prevalence of 10-15%.  Veterinary professionals are more isolated than other health professionals and if anything have higher levels of stress.

The Alabama Veterinary Professionals Wellness Program, AVPWP, was developed to help. We can offer assistance in several important ways:

1.    The Vet Board has agreed to change the annual license renewal question regarding  “treatment for alcohol or substance abuse” to allow applicants to say no if they are participating in the Alabama Veterinary Professional Wellness Program, AVPWP. (i.e. They accept participation in AVPWP in lieu of their need to know about and investigate potential impairment?)  The last thing you want to do is answer license renewal questions fraudulently. This program allows you to answer honestly and have confidential treatment.
2.    We have extensive experience in dealing with problems that can cause impairment. We usually recommend that as a first step a good evaluation be done. We know good resources for evaluation and can provide these referral options to you.
3.    We are experienced at doing professional interventions in the least confrontational manner with the best results.
4.    The good outcomes that are reported regarding success rates for professionals are contingent upon good follow-up and monitoring. We are setup to do monitoring when appropriate. This protects and advocates for the professional.

There are many other benefits to our program. Please feel free to call and discuss this confidentially and/or anonymously.


    Edelstein EL.  Physicians as Patients: A Comparative Study of Attitudes of Physicians and Non-Physicians.  Psychopathology. 1984; 17:213-216.
    Stoudemire A, Rhoads JM.  When the Doctor Needs a Doctor: Special Considerations for the             Physician-Patient.  Annals of Internal Medicine.  1983; 98(Part 1): 654-659.
    Anthony JC.  Prevalence of substance use among US physicians.  JAMA 1992; 11:268(18):2518

 

What we can provide for you. 10/06/2007

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The Veterinary Licensing Board and the Veterinary Medical Association in Alabama have teamed up to provide the Veterinary Wellness Program. The purpose of the program is to provide a way for Veterinary Professionals who may have problems that are associated with impairment to get help and avoid disciplinary action. Problems like alcohol and other drug abuse, depression or stress related problems, age related problems, physical disabilities, and others can be dealt with in a confidential clinical manner and avoid further trauma to the professional or their career. The Wellness Program seeks to assist veterinarians and vet techs to obtain appropriate evaluation and treatment to reduce the risk of problems.

The idea for this program makes sense because prevention and early detection saves careers. Dealing with health problems that cause impairment in a clinical manner is much better than dealing these problems in a legal fashion.

So how does it work?If a Veterinary Professional has an apparent problem with alcohol or drugs or any of the other problems mentioned above, then they may call and seek assistance, or someone who cares about them may call and discuss their concern and obtain advice and/or assistance. A clinical approach is taken. If the symptoms warrant, the Veterinary Professional may be contacted and advised that there are concerns. Usually a recommendation will be made that they seek professional assessment or evaluation to determine if there is a problem and how it can be treated. An appropriate evaluation program can be recommended. The idea is that we can assist each other by confronting symptoms that if left unchecked will gradually destroy an individual and their career.

What about confidentiality? Confidentiality is very important because it gives individuals the confidence to call and discuss sensitive matters. We attempt to keep information as confidential as possible. If you are concerned about someone you may call the Wellness Program and not mention your name or the individual’s name and simply obtain advice. Records are kept confidential. The law that established the program in Alabama is clear in providing absolute confidentiality.

What kind of evaluation is recommended? We recommend a thorough evaluation from an evaluator that has experience working with professionals. The denial and resistance to face health concerns in health professionals is amazing. Evaluators need to be thorough, fair, and experienced.

In summary, if we recognize that Veterinary Professionals, like everyone else, have problems then we are wise to provide a supportive way for them to obtain assistance. To put our heads in the sand, and only offer the threat of disciplinary action is not appropriate, economical, or healthy. No one wants to have a serious health problem that could cause professional impairment, however, ignoring symptoms only allows the problem to get worse. Let’s work together to provide a supportive atmosphere for Veterinary Professionals to seek appropriate healthcare when they need it.

Contact the Veterinary Professional Wellness Program at 334 954-2596 or 800 239-6272 and speak to Greg Skipper, MD, Medical Director, or Bobby Brock, Case Manager. Check out our web site at www.veterinarywellnessprogram.org or email us at staff@veterinarywellnessprogram.org.