title: Substance abuse and the impaired provider.
abstract: Physicians have a similar rate of substance abuse as the general population, though their choice of substance may tend to be different. The impact on the physician and his or her patients seriously compromises the delivery of safe and effective medical care. This article reviews our knowledge base regarding the physician with substance abuse issues and presents a methodology to assist in mitigating the risks presented to the provider and patients.
authors.affiliation: Risk Management and Patient Safety Institute, Bismarck, North Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watkins
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010815:Physician Impairment; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy