Confidential Treatment Programs For Physicians With Mental Illness - Statement Of American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) supports confidential treatment programs for physicians with mental illness, including substance abuse, despite recent scrutiny. Mental illness is a chronic disease and all patients deserve the same privacy rights. To treat physicians differently is discriminatory. Such discriminatory treatment is perpetuated by stigma in society regarding persons with mental illness. AMSA has long supported efforts to educate the public about the prevalence and treatability of mental illness in order to eliminate the stigma that prevents the diagnosis and successful treatment of the mentally ill.


This past year, AMSA has collaborated with government officials, non-governmental organizations, medical students and faculty members from academic medical centers, to develop an anti-stigma campaign whose purpose will be to educate future physicians about this stigma, and try to eliminate its effects.


It is also critical that medical education incorporates this issue within its curriculum. The disgrace associated with mental illness has profound effects among its population. According to data released by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors last year, patients with severe and persistent mental illness die an average of 25 years earlier than the general population, due to other chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Patients need to be diagnosed and treated in a timely and fair manner.


Attributed to Michael Ehlert, M.D., AMSA National President


About the American Medical Student Association


The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 68,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education.

To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at amsa.