End of Program Stirs Debate Over Treatment for Addicted Doctors
The California Medical Association is calling for more oversight of the state's diversion program for physicians with substance abuse problems, CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360°" reports. The state medical board plans to end the diversion program in July.
The medical board decided to end the program after audits showed problems with random testing procedures and a lack of oversight.
However, CMA maintains that ending the confidential program would make physicians more hesitant to seek treatment without addressing the problem of substance abuse among doctors.
The segment includes comments from:
- Julie D'Angelo Fellmeth, who performed an audit of the program in 2004;
- Joe Dunn, president of CMA; and
- Patients and family members of patients who received treatment from a doctor in the program (Kaye, "Anderson Cooper 360°," CNN, 3/31).