AAEM endorses the following points regarding inquiries about diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in connection with professional licensing and credentialing:
- AAEM believes that state licensing boards and credentialing organizations should require physicians to disclose mental disorders only when the disorder currently impairs their judgment or ability to practice.
- AAEM believes that state licensing boards and credentialing organizations should refrain from asking about past history of mental disorders as such inquiries discourage professionals from getting treatment that could prevent impairment.
References:
AMA Policy
Access to Confidential Health Services for Medical Students and Physicians H-295.858
https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/physician%20suicide?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD-295.858.xml
APA Position Statement
Position Statement on Inquiries about Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disordersin Connection with Professional Credentialing and Licensing
https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/About-APA/Organization-Documents-Policies/Policies/Position-2018-Inquiries-about-Diagnosis-and-Treatment-of-Mental-Disorders-in-Connection-with-Professional-Credentialing-and-Licensing.pdf
Approved: 11/28/2018