HCP- too much alcohol

[Miljea]

I wonder how many HCPs know they drink too much but know that visiting a local GP for help is a bad idea due to confidentiality?

I know from experience that having 'excess alcohol' on a record is a bad idea, the judgement comes down hard. It shouldn't, but it does.

As an aside, somewhere in London is a special, secret health care set up for medics with issues like MH and addiction which is completely private.

(I know there will be some who suggest 🙄 that any alcohol intake in a HCP is 'unacceptable/ they should be sacked' etc etc, even tho that worker may do their job completely sober.)

Should there be more confidentiality for public facing people in regard to addiction, or should they be subject to the same standards as 'everyone else'- which means they wouldn't dare seek help?

WDYT?

I’m not a HCP so I’m unsure on a couple of points here. What are the issues around confidentiality? Doesn’t the GP of a HCP have to follow the same rules around confidentiality as the GP of a non-HCP?

I actually think the best answer is to work to remove the stigma so that nobody feels ashamed for seeking help for addiction. In the meantime I have no issue with there being a specific centre set up for HCPs with alcohol addictions. I don’t think HCPs are alone in feeling worried about seeking GP support though. I’m sober now and never sought help from my GP. I initially used AA but didn’t get on with it. My experience with AA was that many, many people didn’t want to discuss alcohol issues with anybody outside of AA or addiction charities.

I don’t understand this. A discussion about alcohol intake with a GP is confidential whether you are a HCP or anyone else.

WIT is that a GP visiting another GP for medical advice should be entitled to confidentiality like everyone else.

The issue is that the HCP, like anyone else, gets sent to a local DGH to a specialist, whose F1 requests an U/S or CT scan, and blood tests. That all state 'excess alcohol' (>14 units per week for a woman). That HCP's career is effectively over, regardless of whether their liver function tests are normal, their ultrasound and CT scan clear.

I'm musing on this because this has just happened to a friend/acquaintance of mine. I advised her not to go to her GP about her fears regarding her increasing alcohol intake, but obviously couldn't tell her of any alternative. As there isn't one.

I’m in a different (overseas) jurisdiction, but no we don’t have the same confidentiality as other people when it comes to mental health issues. Doctors can be, and are, reported to our registration authority if we present with mental health issues (including substance use) that could affect us.

It directly affects willingness to seek help.

OP did your friend lose their job over this?

HCPs and other “high public trust” professionals have sign documents to release their nhs medical records to occupational health. If your friend has the means she could go private, perhaps counselling rather than a medic initially?

I have known hcp who clearly have addiction issues ,and are supported by the health service to manage these problems.
I am not clear how having a scan and blood tests , even if it says alcohol excess would be information that others would be able to access, and on what premise you would lose your job over it.
If someone has a problem which is affecting their performance at work , I would expect them either to be reported by colleagues, or to report themselves.And that person shouldn’t work until their issues are resolved.

My friend is having a difficult time at work since her referral for a liver U/S scan, done at her own hospital, by a colleague.

The request clearly stated 'excess ETOH'.

One would like to think HCPs are 'above' this, but I've seen first hand the judgement that accompanies any mention of excess alcohol.

If it we me! I'd definitely not go to my GP!