Description
Book SynopsisBecause physicians are shaped by the expectations and responsibilities of their profession and are especially susceptible to stress and illness, professionals treating them need to be attuned to a host of demands and considerations not applicable to other patients. The Physician as Patient meets that need by combining the perspectives of two seasoned psychiatrists who have been assessing and treating physicians for more than 30 years. Drs. Myers and Gabbard pool their career-long dedication to physician health, counseling, and risk management to demonstrate that, through accurate diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment, most impaired physicians can recover and return to practice.
As the most current sourcebook available on this subject, The Physician as Patient not only discusses common illnesses and problems seen in doctors but also outlines the many biopsychosocial treatments that are indicated—always with an emphasis on integrated care. It considers such issues as the reluctance of physicians to assume the role of patient and the uniqueness of the physician's psychological makeup that facilitates or impedes diagnosis and treatment. It describes the most common medical and psychiatric illnesses in physicians—including addictions—and addresses personality disorders and the increasingly important subject of boundary violations. And it helps readers determine what can be done about doctors behaving badly or out-of-character, or what strategies are useful in treating physicians to assure accuracy while also diminishing morbidity and relieving suffering. Among other key issues raised are:
• The importance of considering sociocultural customs and values when treating the increasing number of minority and International Medical Graduate physicians
• Addressing the many clinical, humanistic, ethical, and legal dimensions of the psychiatric evaluation of physicians
• Distinguishing between long-standing patterns of personality disorders that manifest as disruptive behaviors and those patterns that lead to burnout and depression
• Assessing amenability to rehabilitation in cases of sexual boundary violation, including an awareness of alcohol or drug abuse as contributing factors
• Utilizing a physician's predisposition as a learner and pragmatist to enter into cognitive behavior therapy
• The success of early diagnosis and treatment in lowering the occurrence of suicide, for which physicians are notoriously at risk
Brimming with case examples, The Physician as Patient adopts a reader-friendly style that facilitates quick grasp of concepts, while an extensive list of references and websites provides an entrée for additional support. This book is an indispensable resource for all mental health professionals who take caregivers into their care.
Trade ReviewThis excellent and well written book tackles a very difficult subject with care and concern, but manages to remain pragmatic and objective. The sections on suicidality, the culture of medicine, and professional boundary violations are particularly good. The case examples are relevant and appropriate and the writing is clear and unambiguous. I would highly recommend this book to anyone — licensing board members, deans, clinicians — who is involved with treating ill physicians.
* Doody Enterprises *
Myers and Gabbard have made a significant contribution to physician mental health. While reading this book, I repeatedly muttered to myself," they really get it." On page after page, I consistently admired the authors' ability to reflect upon their experience with their corresponding impact on mental health. Their ability to integrate clinical assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy with medical culture and physician characteristic makes this book very useful to a wide audience.
* PsycCRITIQUES *
This is a valuable, and much needed, resource for any mental health professional who treats physicians and their families. It should also be read by administrators concerned with the future of impaired physicians.
* The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease *
This book a gift of wisdom and generosity from authors who have been in the trenches for decades caring for physicians-and the medical profession as a whole. Their experiences are exposed thought case vignettes, and their breath and depth of knowledge are succinctly revealed. Dr. Michael F. Myers and Dr. Glen O. Gabbard ably entreat a paradigm shift in the culture of medicine and the care of physicians. This is a must-read text.
* Journal of Clinical Psychiatry *
This handbook, co-authored by two of the leading psychoanalytic educators in Northern America, covers an important topic rarely addressed in the training of mental health care providers: providing treatment to the physician-patient. The entire book is an easy read and very well written.
-- David Baron, M.S.,Ed., D.O. * Psychiatric Services *
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part I: Physician Characteristics and Vulnerabilities
Chapter 1. The Psychology of Physicians and the Culture of Medicine
Chapter 2. Minority Physicians (Racial, Ethnic, Sexual Orientation) and International Medical Graduates
Chapter 3. Psychiatric Evaluation of Physicians
Part II: Diagnostic and Treatment Issues in the Distressed and Distressing Physician
Chapter 4. Psychiatric and Medical Illness in Physicians
Chapter 5. Addictions: Chemical and Nonchemical
Chapter 6. Personality Disorders, Personality Traits, and Disruptive Physicians
Chapter 7. Professional Boundary Violations
Part III: Prevention, General Treatment Principles, and Rehabilitation
Chapter 8. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Chapter 9. Individual Cognitive Therapy and Relapse Prevention Treatment
Chapter 10. Couples in Conflict and Their Treatment
Chapter 11. The Suicidal Physician and the Aftermath of Physician Suicide
Chapter 12. Prevention
Appendix: Resources and Web Sites
References
Index
