Effectiveness of a Unique Support Group for Physicians in a Physician Health Program.

State Physician Health Programs (PHPs) assess, support, and monitor physicians with mental, behavioral, medical, and substance abuse problems. Since their formation in the 1970s, PHPs have offered support groups following the 12-step model for recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). However, few programs have developed support groups for physicians without SUDs. This study at the Massachusetts PHP (Physician Health Services Inc.) represents the first effort to survey physician attitudes concerning a unique support group that goes beyond classic addiction models. The group was initiated because of the observation that physicians with problems other than SUDs did not fit easily into the 12-step framework. It was hypothesized that such a group would be effective in helping participants control workplace stress, improve professional and personal relationships, and manage medical and psychiatric difficulties. With a response rate of 43% (85 respondents), the survey identified a strong overall impact of the Physician Health Services Inc. support group, identifying positive effects in all areas of personal and professional life: family and friends, wellness, professional relationships, and career. Respondents identified the role of the facilitator as particularly important, underscoring the facilitator's capacity to welcome participants, manage interactions, set limits, and maintain a supportive emotional tone. The implications for physician health extend from supporting a broader application of this model to using a skilled facilitator to manage groups intended to reduce the stress and burnout of present-day medical practice. The results encourage PHPs, hospitals, medical practices, and physician groups to consider implementing facilitated support groups as an additional tool for maintaining physician health.

The impact of lifestyle medicine continuing education on provider knowledge, attitudes, and counseling behaviors.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for effective continuing medical education (CME) programs to increase healthcare providers' knowledge and skills in lifestyle medicine so that healthcare providers are better equipped to assist patients in adopting and maintaining healthier lifestyle behaviors. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of five live face-to-face CME programs in lifestyle medicine on providers' barriers, knowledge, confidence, and professional counseling behaviors. METHODS: 200 participants completed researcher-generated surveys before and 90 days after each CME program. Paired t-tests measured significant changes for all outcome variables, and regression analyses assessed predictors of these changes. RESULTS: Barriers that were targeted during the programs, i.e. lack of knowledge/skills, lack of materials, and perceived poor patient compliance showed highly significant improvement. Participants also reported significant changes in knowledge, confidence, and counseling behaviors in the areas of exercise and stress management. Some improvements occurred in areas that the CME programs did not target as much, i.e. nutrition, smoking, and weight management. The greatest predictor of change was the baseline level of scores. Those participants who could most benefit from change did show the largest improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Live CME programs can be effective in educating healthcare providers about topics within the rapidly expanding field of lifestyle medicine.