237.000 PHYSICIAN HEALTH

237.994           Discrimination Against Physicians Using Medication Assisted Treatment

The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) affirms that no physician or medical student should be presumed to be impaired by substance or illness solely because they are diagnosed with a substance use disorder.  MSSNY affirms that no physician or medical student should be presumed impaired because they and their treating physician have chosen medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to address the substance use disorder, including methadone and buprenorphine.

MSSNY strongly encourages the leadership of physician health and wellness programs, state medical boards, hospital and health system credentialing bodies, and employers to help end stigma and discrimination against physicians and medical students with substance use disorders and allow and encourage the usage of MOUD, including methadone or buprenorphine, when clinically appropriate and as determined by the physician or medical student (as patient) and their treating physician, without penalty (such as restriction of privileges, licensure, ability to prescribe medications or other treatments, or other limits on their ability to practice medicine), solely because the physician’s or medical student’s treatment plan includes MOUD.

MSSNY will submit this resolution to the AMA HOD for discussion at AMA meeting in June 2021, asking the AMA to survey physician health programs and state medical boards about whether they allow participants/licensees to use MOUD without punishment, or exclusion from practicing medicine or having to face other adverse consequences and to report back. (HOD 2020-159, referred to Council, substitute resolution adopted 4/15/21)

237.995           Physician Assistance, Parity with Lawyers

MSSNY will continue its development and rollout of a program that provides confidential peer-to-peer support for physicians, medical residents, and medical students and will continue to seek legislation or regulation to ensure confidentiality and non-discoverability for both the trained peer and physician or student seeking assistance in peer to peer interactions. (HOD 2020-111, referred to Council; substitute adopted by Council 1/14/21)

237.996           Physician Burnout is an OSHA Issue

The Medical Society of the State of New York will seek legislation/regulation to add physician burnout as a Repetitive Strain (stress) injury and subject to OSHA oversight.  A resolution will be sent to AMA for action.  (HOD 2020-250)

237.997           Physician Well-Being as an Indicator of Health System Quality

MSSNY supports policies that acknowledge physician well-being is both a driver and an indicator of hospital and health system quality.  MSSNY will promote dialogue between key stakeholders (physician groups, health-system decision makers, payers, and the general public) about the components needed in such a quality-indicator system to best measure physician and organizational wellness.  With appropriate resources, MSSNY will develop the expertise to be available to assist in the implementations of effective interventions in situations of suboptimal physician wellness.  (HOD 2020-164) 

237.998           The Quadruple Aim-Promoting Improvement in the Physician Experience of Providing Care

MSSNY will adopt a fourth goal to the Triple Aim which was established by Dr. Berwick and the Institute of Health care Improvement, namely the goal of improving physicians’ experience in providing care.  A resolution seeking AMA adoption of a fourth goal will be submitted.  (HOD 2020-163)

nb-the three existing Triple Aims are:  improving the individual experience of care, improving the health of populations and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

237.999           Regular Mental Health Check-up and/or Access to Hotline for Medical Residents

MSSNY will ask residency program directors to arrange for regular mental health assessment along with physical check-ups of the residents during their residency years and that resident physicians have access in a confidential manner to either a hotline or a contact person from the mental health department in their health facility if possible.  Hotlines available for medical students could be used for resident physicians as well.  (HOD 2020-162)