JCAHO "Disruptive Physician" Rulings Have Spawned a Cottage Industry of Bogus Providers

The Joint Commission (‘disruptive physician’) rulings have spawned a cottage industry of anger management centers and law firms defending hospitals or physicians.

On-line anger management classes, as well as hypnosis, anger addiction counseling, psychiatric treatment and Christian self-help groups, are being marketed on the Internet as treatment/cure facilities for "disruptive physicians". Unsuspecting or unmotivated physicians are shopping to find the cheapest, rather than the most comprehensive or effective, programs.

Hospital administrators, physician well-being committees and physician health programs are handicapped by a lack of an understanding or standards for intervention programs appropriate for "disruptive physicians".

The two largest and most credible programs for disruptive physicians are the PACE Program at the University of California at San Diego and the Distressed Physician Program at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Both of these programs are provided in a small group format consisting of 8 participants or less and are limited to 32 persons per year. Both programs are already filled through December of 2009.

Currently, the most successful "disruptive physician" intervention is one that includes a comprehensive non-psychiatric assessment based on emotional intelligence rather than personality disorders or psychopathology. Such assessments include scales on self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, relationship management, self-esteem, interpersonal assertion, stress management, communication, leadership, anger management and motivation to change. This intervention is provided by Anderson & Anderson, A.P.C., the provider of Executive Coaching/Anger Management for "disruptive physicians".

Following the assessment, feedback is given and the physician is given two client workbooks and one DVD that include skill enhancement information in the areas in which he or she scored in the deficit range. The first 12 hours of intervention can take place on-site anywhere in the United States over a two- day period or, on a weekly basis if provided in Los Angeles.

Follow-up/Aftercare is provided via phone sessions on a bi-monthly basis over a six -month period. Post- tests are provided at three months and six months. As needed sessions are available when requested.

For more information, please call our office at 310-207-3591 or visit www.andersonservices.com.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF, CEAP
Diplomat, 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