See also:
Physicians, Clinically Deficient
Physicians, Impaired
The AAFP believes a physician or other health care practitioner to be impaired when (s)he is unable to exercise prudent medical judgment and/or is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety without jeopardy to patient care due to factors such as medical illness, alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse, mental illness, and/or behavioral disorders.
In some instances, such factors may be substantially alleviated by treatment.
AAFP members who are participating in or who have successfully completed treatment programs for impaired physicians will be supported by the Academy and will not be excluded from membership and activities solely because of their participation in a treatment program. This policy does not prevent restriction or revocation of AAFP membership and its privileges if the member fails to meet membership requirements as specified in the Bylaws. The AAFP supports state and local medical society efforts to provide programs and resources (e.g., referral services, support groups) for impaired physicians. (1987) (2006)
In some instances, such factors may be substantially alleviated by treatment.
AAFP members who are participating in or who have successfully completed treatment programs for impaired physicians will be supported by the Academy and will not be excluded from membership and activities solely because of their participation in a treatment program. This policy does not prevent restriction or revocation of AAFP membership and its privileges if the member fails to meet membership requirements as specified in the Bylaws. The AAFP supports state and local medical society efforts to provide programs and resources (e.g., referral services, support groups) for impaired physicians. (1987) (2006)
