Research about PHPs and Health Professionals

FSPHP strongly advocates for the use of empirical data to understand physician health program outcomes and continually works with our PHP member programs and subject matter experts to move this effort forward.

Essential components of physician health program monitoring for substance use disorder: A survey of participants 5 years post successful program completion
A January 2022 article authored by FSPHP Research Committee Co-Chair Dr. Lisa Merlo and published in the Journal on Addictions describes elements of successful professional health monitoring programs (PHPs) from the perspective of former participants 5+ years after completion of their monitoring agreement for substance use disorder (SUD)--i.e., after 10+ years of recovery. The results provide preliminary evidence of the long-term sustainability of treatment success among PHP participants, and document the particular importance of engaging with the PHP, formal SUD treatment, participation in 12-step programs, and random drug testing to achieve these outcomes. Thank you to the PHP staff from Idaho, Indiana, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, and Washington who assisted with contacting potential participants for this study, as well as to the physicians who participated by completing the survey.

Success Rates of Monitoring for Healthcare Professionals with a Substance Use Disorder: A Meta-Analysis - January 2021
This investigation highlights the limitations of prior studies demonstrating effectiveness of HCP monitoring programs and serves as an important guide for future research to update and improve upon the evidence-base.  FSPHP is pursuing such research and welcomes funding and collaborative partnerships with investigators interested in physician health. Click here for the FSPHP Research Guidelines.  The article emphasis that the results look consistent (and consistently good). The limitations about the lack of randomized or quasi-experimental studies described exists because there are ethical issues that prevent those studies from being done.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Other 12‐Step Programs for Alcohol Use Disorder
by John F Kelly, PhD, Keith Humphreys, PhD, Marica Ferri, PhD
March 2020, Cochrane Library

A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Review of Resident Care-Seeking at a Physician Health Program
by Amanda L. Parry, Elizabeth Brooks, PhD, Sarah R. Early, PsyD
October 2018

Helping the Healer: Population-Informed Workplace Wellness Recommendations for Physician Well-being
by Brooks E, Early SE, Gendel, MD, Miller L, Gundersen DC. 
March 2018 

When Doctors Struggle: Current Stressors and Evaluation Recommendations for Physicians Contemplating Suicide
by Elizabeth Brooks, PhD, Michael H. Gendel, MD, Sarah R. Early & Doris C. Gundersen, MD
January 2018