Ohio Physicians Effectiveness Program

History

In 1973, The American Medical Association recommended that state medical associations develop programs to help physicians impaired by alcohol, drug abuse, mental/emotional problems, and problems of aging.  The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) responded through the establishment of an Impaired Physicians Committee (later changed to Physicians Effectiveness Committee).  The Committee began with several volunteer physicians.  In less than two years, it grew to approximately 25 physicians from throughout Ohio.

The Committee organized a Physicians Effectiveness Program (PEP) developing a mechanism to assist physician colleagues throughout the state regarding concerns about their health or well being.  Despite the hard work and dedication of the volunteer physicians, the PEP had a significant weakness.  The majority of volunteer physicians had little or no experience or training for intervening with impaired physicians.  During the late 1980s, the Committee began working on the development of a funded, fulltime program with professional staff.  In early 1991, OSMA became a major sponsor, including staff liaison services, for the first three years of operation. 

Subsequently, OSMA and several individuals lobbied vigorously to obtain funding from the newly created Ohio Medical Quality Foundation (OMQF).   Through these efforts funding was obtained into the year 2001 at which time OMQF provided additional funding for a comprehensive review of OPEP.  This study resulted in OMQF providing additional funding for a full-time President and Medical Director in 2002 and continues as the primary funding source of the program.

In 2004, the Board of Trustees changed the name of the organization to Ohio Physicians Health Program (OPHP) to better reflect the services and activities of the organization consistent with changes in other state programs.

OPHP initially was formed to assist physicians with substance use disorders and impairment issues.  Today, with stress and pressures on the rise among physicians and other health care professionals from for a variety of reasons, expansion of services and activities to support all aspects of the health and well being of physicians are necessary.  OPHP has responded to these needs through expanded services, education programs, increased visibility, ease of accessibility and establishment of relationships and networks with local physician health committees, medical staff leadership, hospital administration, residency directors, medical schools, etc.