A Guide to Security. Respect each other's area of expertise, watch for turf battles and deal with them when or if they arise. A rigorous recovery program, detailed signed contracts and random urine checks are crucial to forestall or reduce the risk of relapse into drug use or mood slippage. Step up advocacy efforts in your community . Remember that, because of stigma, most of our physician-patients cannot speak for themselves.
Topics can range from general psychiatry to specific stressors for physicians and their families.
Assess your psychiatrist-patients carefully . Take care of your own health and the functioning of your family . When we treat other physicians and their loved ones, we are often gazing into a mirror-and that is painful when you are not feeling very well or there is unrest and unhappiness at home. You will feel better and so will your patients. Dr. Myers is a specialist in physician health.