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- Page navigation anchor for System-level change needed to support mental health disclosureSystem-level change needed to support mental health disclosure
I applaud Dr. Bernard on her powerful article disclosing her battles with depression. I agree that attention to mental health with disclosure to trusted colleagues, medical care, and saying ‘no’ to the often-overwhelming opportunities in medicine are key. I also agree with Dr. Bernard that disclosure is challenging, and that ‘reprisals from regulators’ stigmatizes mental health, to the detriment of physicians.
For example, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta requires during the initial application and annual renewal of a license disclosure of any “physical, cognitive, mental and/or emotional condition that is negatively impacting your work, or is reasonably likely to negatively impact your work in the future”, both at present, and in the past 10 years. Firstly, this is so incredibly broad that an argument could be made for any and all ‘conditions’ to require disclosure. Secondly, there is no information provided as to what the implications of disclosure could be. Just for information? Mandatory health monitoring? Restrictions or refusal of licensure?
A US study found that 40% of physicians “reported that they would be reluctant to seek formal medical care for treatment of a mental health condition because of concerns about repercussions to their medical licensure.”1 However, those working in a jurisdiction that required disclosure only about current impairment from a mental health condition were significantly less likely to be reluctant to seek...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.