Practice milieu to which the physician will return Committee members should carefully evaluate information concerning the subsequent treatment of the physician before recommending which, if not all, clinical privileges should be reinstated. Committee members with potential conflicts of interest may need to disqualify themselves. Each decision should be based on recommendations from these sources, the committee's assessment of the participant's progress, and the practice milieu to which the participant will return. Monitoring Each physician who has been in treatment for any diagnosis causing impairment should usually enter a written monitoring agreement with the peer assistance committee for a minimum of five years.
Monitoring is an important aspect of recovery and also serves as documentation of the process.
A five year agreement should be entered with each physician participant. Sections of the agreement should also detail what the participating physician will be required to do, how the peer assistance committee will advocate for the physician, and termination clauses. The participating physician, chair of the peer assistance committee, and a witness should sign the agreement. This can be done through the TMA Drug Screening Program or on a local basis. Copyright 1999 Texas Medical Association .