Non-Psychiatric Evaluation & Coaching for “Disruptive Physicians”

Physicians who are referred or mandated to attend an anger management program consistent with the Joint Commission for The Accreditation of Health Care Organizations's guidelines (JCAHO) must be careful to protect themselves from the inherent risk of enrolling in a program that includes psychological/psychiatric assessments. Any physician who is considered by his organization to be “disruptive” should seek out approved/experienced Executive Coaching/Anger Management Programs which use valid assessment instruments designed exclusively to screen for base line functioning in recognizing and managing anger, stress, assertive communication and emotional intelligence.

The American Psychiatric Association has correctly determined that anger is not a pathological condition and is not listed in the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Nervous And Mental Disorders. Therefore, anger management it is not subject to psychiatric intervention. Rather, anger is a normal human emotion, which is experienced by everyone.

Any type of paper trail that implies or suggests psychiatric impairment can prove to be problematic for physicians applying for medical staff privileges, teaching positions or Managed Health Care service provider contracts. Since there is still a stigma associated with mental illness, anything that implies such a diagnoses must be avoided.

Anger is considered a problem, when it is too intense, occurs too frequently, lasts too long, leads to aggression or violence, disrupts interpersonal relationships or has health consequences.

Unhealthy anger is not a mental health problem; it is not responsive to counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric intervention nor psychotropic medication. The ideal anger management program is one that includes a comprehensive assessment for anger, stress, communication and emotional intelligence. The most appropriate intervention is Executive Coaching/Anger Management for Physicians with an After-care component.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF, CEAP
Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers
Anderson & Anderson®, The Trusted Name in Anger Management
http://www.andersonservices.com/
http://www.aaamp.org
http://www.linkedin.com/in/geoanderson
www.anger-management-resources.org