Medical Center Occupational Health Basics-The Elephant in the Room - How MCOH Can Help Address Healthcare Professional Mental Health and Substance Misuse

The Elephant in the Room - How MCOH Can Help Address Healthcare Professional Mental Health and Substance Misuse

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Rebecca Guest, Senior Medical Director of Occupational Health Services at Montefiore Medical Center, addressed mental health and substance misuse among healthcare providers. She emphasized the commonality of issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders among healthcare workers, exacerbated by the pandemic. Dr. Guest discussed the importance of recognizing potential impairment due to substance use, which poses significant safety risks in healthcare settings. She urged the audience to adopt a compassionate and professional approach, focusing on early intervention to prevent impairment at work.<br /><br />Dr. Guest highlighted that healthcare professionals have a higher risk of substance use disorders due to unique access to medications. Signs of potential impairment can include inconsistent work patterns, inappropriate behavior, and missing medications. She advocated for a nonjudgmental, empathetic approach, developing a clear process for managing suspected cases, and knowing the organization's policies and resources.<br /><br />Resources like the American Society of Addiction Medicine are recommended for evidence-based treatment referrals. Dr. Guest stressed the importance of understanding local resources and state-specific support programs. She concluded with a call for action, urging readiness to handle these issues constructively and safely.

Keywords

mental health

substance misuse

healthcare providers

early intervention

substance use disorders

safety risks

compassionate approach

treatment referrals