The Physician as Patient: A Comprehensive Guide for Mental Health Professionals

Treating physicians as patients requires a unique understanding of their profession and its associated pressures, stressors, and vulnerabilities. Drs. Michael F. Myers and Glen O. Gabbard, two seasoned psychiatrists with over 30 years of experience, have pooled their expertise to provide a comprehensive resource for mental health professionals treating physicians.

As the most current and authoritative sourcebook on this subject, The Physician as Patient delves into the complexities of physician health, counseling, and risk management. By combining their collective knowledge, the authors demonstrate that accurate diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment can lead to successful recovery and return to practice for most impaired physicians.

Understanding the Unique Needs of Physician Patients

Physicians, as patients, present distinct challenges due to their profession’s expectations, responsibilities, and stressors. To effectively treat physicians, mental health professionals must consider the following factors:

• The reluctance of physicians to assume the role of patient
• The uniqueness of the physician’s psychological makeup that facilitates or impedes diagnosis and treatment
• Sociocultural customs and values in treating minority and International Medical Graduate physicians

Addressing Common Medical and Psychiatric Illnesses in Physicians

The book explores the most common medical and psychiatric illnesses affecting physicians, including:

• Addictions
• Personality disorders
• Boundary violations
• Burnout and depression

Practical Strategies for Effective Treatment

To ensure successful treatment outcomes, the authors emphasize the importance of:

• Integrated care and biopsychosocial treatments
• Early diagnosis and treatment to lower the occurrence of suicide
• Utilizing a physician’s predisposition as a learner and pragmatist to enter into cognitive behavior therapy
• Assessing amenability to rehabilitation in cases of sexual boundary violation, including awareness of alcohol or drug abuse as contributing factors

Brimming with case examples and an extensive list of references, The Physician as Patient adopts a reader-friendly style that facilitates quick grasp of concepts, providing an indispensable resource for all mental health professionals treating physicians.

By applying the knowledge and insights presented in this book, mental health professionals can provide more effective, compassionate care to their physician patients, ultimately promoting their recovery and well-being.