Program Helps Physicians Recover Clinical Skills
A new program created by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and carried out by The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society helps physicians who have raised quality concerns or fallen behind in clinical skills or education.
“This is a vital program that will give help to physicians who need it without judgment or punishment,” said Peter S. Lund, MD, past president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
The four-step LifeGuard® program is modeled after the Foundation’s Physicians Health Programs (PHP), which offers help to physicians struggling with addiction, mental illness, or physical disabilities.
“It has the potential to be beneficial for physicians because it might offer clinical pathways to address practice issues,” said Greg Gable, assistant executive director of the Foundation.
Physicians referred to LifeGuard® first undergo a cognitive and psychiatric screen, in which problems—such as acute psychiatric illness or cognitive deficits—are either ruled out or identified. Following this screening procedure, physicians can move on to clinical skill assessment using resources available from Pennsylvania medical schools, chart review, or testing modules.
If the need for advanced training is identified, LifeGuard® develops individual remediation plans to refresh knowledge and skills in a medical school or protected practice setting.
LifeGuard® then makes recommendations to the physician and the referral source about return to practice, modification of practice, and continuing education needs.
“A program that provides objective, fair and responsive assistance to physicians with clinical competency problems will enhance physicians’ skills and improve patient care,” said Raymond C. Truex, Jr., MD, FACS, chair of the Foundation board.
For more information, contact Gable at (717) 558-7863 or Virginia Henning, Foundation executive director, at (717) 558-7851.
Last Updated: 12/10/2009