Supporting Physician Health: Identifying and Addressing Impairment

Evaluation and Credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/medchat86

Target Audience This activity is targeted toward primary care physicians and advanced providers.

Statement of Need This podcast will highlight how providers can recognize their impairment or a colleague. Additionally, the responsibility of providers will be addressed once impairment is suspected. A study published in PubMed, indicated that a physician's rate of substance use disorder is slightly higher than the general population. As a result of long hours, high responsibility and emotional stress physicians face an increased risk for burnout, depression and substance use. Even though there is the risk of patient safety, physicians delay seeking help due to the stigma or fee of professional consequences.

Objectives

• Discuss the common causes, symptoms and factors that contribute to physician impairment.
• Describe the impact of impairment on patient safety and professional responsibility.
• Identify appropriate intervention strategies and available support systems.

ModeratorJames Jennings, M.D., MBA Executive Medical Director Norton Medical Group Louisville, Kentucky

Speaker Tina Simpson, M.D. Medical Director Kentucky Physicians Health Foundation Louisville, Kentucky

Planners, Moderator and Speaker Disclosures The planners, moderator and speaker of this activity do not have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Commercial Support There was no commercial support for this activity.

Physician Credits Accreditation Norton Healthcare is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Norton Healthcare designates this enduring material for a maximum of .75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Resources for Additional Study/References

The Impaired Surgeon https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26612022/

Family Medicine Physicians With Substance Use Disorder: A 5-year Outcome Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28067757/

Date of Original Release | Jan. 2026; Information is current as of the time of recording.

Course Termination Date | Jan. 2028

Contact Information | Center for Continuing Medical Education (502) 446-5955 or [email protected]

Also listen to Norton Healthcare's podcast Stronger After Stroke. This podcast, produced by the Norton Neuroscience Institute, discusses difficult topics, answers frequently asked questions and provides survivor stories that provide hope.

Norton Healthcare, a not for profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.