Florida considering not asking doctors about past MH issues

Abstract

Physicians applying for a license in Florida may not have to share past history of mental health or substance abuse issues if the state Board of Medicine drops probing questions, the Naples Daily News reported March 17. Committees for the medical board, which oversees physician licensure and discipline, are reviewing questions on the license application that inquire about past illnesses and whether the questions are appropriate. The rules and legislative committee in December discussed changes to ask only about current mental health or substance abuse treatment. The committee is scheduled to address the matter again in April. Many states have modified their applications to ask only about current issues, said Steven Rosenberg, M.D., of West Palm Beach, chairman of the medical board. “The concern is the physician in training and medical students who are under a considerable amount of stress. We want to encourage physicians to seek the counseling they need.” Many physicians are reluctant to seek help due to fear they will be perceived by colleagues as weak or unfit to practice medicine, or because it will deter their ability to renew their license, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards.