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
