Health questions on medical licensure applications: effective or counterproductive? A systematic review

Abstract

Many medical regulatory authorities (MRAs) require their members and applicants to report information about their health on their medical licensure application and renewal forms. We wanted to determine whether this practice is effective in identifying physicians who have a health concern impacting their professional capacity and whether it influences members to seek treatment for their health concerns. Methods: A literature search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA publications standards. Results: From 7998 references found in all databases, after removal of duplicates and screening, five studies were included in this systematic review. None addressed the question of how effective health questions on licensure application forms are in identifying relevant health concerns. Stigma and fear of perceived ramifications of reporting mental health illness to MRAs were common reasons for physicians and medical students not seeking professional mental health care. Significance: MRAs who include health questions on their medical licensure applications should consider their effectiveness in identifying members who have health concerns that may impact their fitness to practise. Contrarily, these questions may deter members from seeking professional treatment for their own mental health. This is an important consideration, especially as burnout is prevalent among practising physicians and medical trainees.