Physicians are not immune from health problems. Indeed, one physician out of ten will face a life-threatening illness during his or her career. Among the most serious threats to physician health are alcoholism and dependence on other substances.
Physicians sometimes suffer from emotional or physical illnesses, as well.
Without proper treatment, these conditions can jeopardize health and well-being, disrupt families, and ruin careers. Many physicians cannot confront their own health problems. Instead, they deny their symptoms out of a sense of omnipotence, making recovery that much more difficult. Similarly, many physicians who know a colleague is ill fear they will betray a friendship or are unaware of available resources to help. PHS is designed to help prevent, identify, refer to treatment, guide, and monitor the recovery of physicians with substance use disorders and mental or physical illness.