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PHYSICIAN HEALTH PROGRAM

Concerned about a doctor?

Common Warning Signs

Support and Donors

View Our Brochure
for more information

Physician Health Program


Chairman, Physician Health Committee
Herbert Rakatansky, MD
44 West River Street
Providence RI 02904
401-274-4800

Program Director
Rosemary H. Maher, ACSW, LICSW
235 Promenade Street, Suite 500
Providence RI 02908
401-528-3287
Fax 401-751-8050
rmaher@rimed.org

Physicians' Health Committee
Founded in 1978, the Physicians' Health Committee is a standing peer review committee of the Rhode Island Medical Society. It serves the professional communities of physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and physician assistants in Rhode Island.
Committee


Concerned about the well-being of a doctor?

The Rhode Island Medical Society offers confidential and effective help for troubled physicians.

The Physicians’ Health Committee of the Rhode Island Medical Society has helped hundreds of physicians, dentists, podiatrists and physician assistants address personal problems that can compromise professional performance. It is a medical peer review committee maintained voluntarily by the Rhode Island Medical Society since 1978. As a peer review body, the Committee enjoys the strong protection of both Rhode Island and federal law for the confidentiality of its work.


Common Warning Signs

The presence of the following signs can identify an individual whose health or performance may be impaired. Even if you are not certain a problem exists, it is important to contact the Physicians’ Health Committee for assistance.

Attitude/Behavior Changes
• Rapidly turns from compassionate and caring to abrupt/caustic
• Withdraws from friends and activities
• Becomes mistrusting, anxious, depressed, irritable

Physical Changes
• Loss of appetite or reduced level of exercise
• Looks tired; admits to insomnia
• Personal hygiene deteriorates
• Physical problems are self-treated

Performance Changes
• Misses appointments
• Makes rounds at unusual hours
• Can’t be reached when on call
• Sloppy charting
• Smell of alcohol on breath during the day

Relationship Changes
• Family communication deteriorates
• Frequent arguments, spouse blamed
• Occurrence of spouse, child abuse
• Children may exhibit poor school performance
• Jealousy, infidelity leading to separation, divorce


Support and Donors

The Physicians Health Program is supported by a fund within the Rhode Island Medical Society Foundation which receives annual support from the following sources:
• NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company
• RIMS Insurance Brokerage Corporation
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
• United Healthcare of New England
• The Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association of Rhode Island
• Promutual Group
• Rhode Island Dental Association
• Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association
• Rhode Island Society of Physician Assistants
• All of the hospital medical staff associations in Rhode Island
• All of the hospital institutions in Rhode Island
• Many individual donors


Updated 9/26/07

Promenade Street Providence RI