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2021 NEWSLETTERWithin ThesePagesAn Introduction toOPHPCOVID-19 WellnessSurvey Initial Findings"How RecoveryChanged my Life"Can a HealthcareProfessional SeekConfidential Help for aSubstance Use Disorder?02020304@OhioPHPOhio Physicians Health ProgramOhio PHP130 E. Chestnut Street, Suite 200Columbus, Ohio 43215Phone: (614) 841-9690info@ophp.org - www.ophp.orgFrom an OPHP Participant

The number ofHealthcareProfessionalswho said theywere feeling down,depressed, orhopelessEVERYDAYincreased 702% from before theCovid-19pandemic toduring.OPHP'S WELLNESS SURVEYRECEIVES OVER 13,000RESPONSES At the conclusion of the survey, OPHPreceived over 13,000 responses fromhealthcare workers of all kinds. Ourpartner, Mighty Crow, is still workingon the outcomes of the survey but ourpreliminary results show an immenseneed for healthcare professionals tohave better access to support. Thenumber of Healthcare Professionalswho said they were feeling down,depressed, or hopeless EVERYDAYincreased 702% from before theCovid-19 pandemic to during.OPHP hopes this survey will act as aplatform to begin the crucialconversations around "helping thehelpers."Keep an eye out for full survey resultslater this year!S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | P A G E 2In August 2021, OPHP sent out acomprehensive survey to ALL of Ohio'shealthcare professionals about theimpact COVID-19 has had on theirmental health and well-being. Thissurvey used a professional assessmenttool to evaluate lessons learned fromthe COVID-19 pandemic and identifypossible solutions to help ourhealthcare professionals in the future.Through this research, OPHP willbetter understand what bestpractices, tools, and resources arerequired to support front line workers. I F Y O U W A N T T O K N O WM O R E A B O U T O P H P ' S W E L L -B E I N G S U R V E Y , P L E A S ER E A C H O U T T O U S A TS T H O M P S O N @ O P H P . O R G .OPHP specializes inproviding confidentialoversight for substanceuse disorders to qualifyingphysicians and otherhealthcare professionals.OPHP is also the MedicalBoard’s monitoringorganization authorized toconduct Ohio’s One-BiteProgram. For moreinformation on Ohio’sOne-Bite Program, flip topage 4ConfidentialResourceMonitoring andAdvocacyOPHP serves as aconfidential resource thatassists with identification,intervention, and referralfor assessment ortreatment of physiciansand other healthcareprofessionals who may beaffected by mental,emotional and behavioralillness, substance-relatedand addiction disorders,or other issues. EducationalOutreachOPHP provideseducationalpresentations toindividuals or groupsthroughout Ohio.Presentations aredelivered on mental,emotional and behavioralillness, and substance-related and addictivedisorders, stress, burnout,and suicide; statutoryguidelines for medicalprofessionals seekingtreatment. An Introduction to OPHPOur Mission: To facilitate the health and wellness of healthcare professionals inorder to enhance patient care and safety.

"You arenotalone,you arestrong.Youdeservea happyandhealthylife."HOW RECOVERYCHANGED MY LIFEFrom an OPHP ParticipantI first learned about OPHP through my medical school administration andmentors. It had become apparent I couldn’t continue on with my careerliving the same way I had tried to throughout it to that point. I wasmotivated to reach out for help because of the very real consequences ofmy actions, and wanting badly to be the physician, significant other, son,and community member I knew I could be. [How did OPHP help you inyour recovery journey?] They were supportive from day one. Checking inregularly, helping me hold myself accountable. They gave me a chancethat I didn’t know I deserved at the time. I have much gratitude for theprogram. Today, recovery means another chance at my dream, it means forgiveness,it means freedom, it is what I owe my blessings to. Recovery hascompletely changed the trajectory of my life. [Do you think recovery hasenhanced your patient care?] It has made me a listener, a better caregiverand all around a better physician. [What do you find most challenging about addiction and mental healthdisorders among healthcare professionals?] The stigma is still strong, egoplays a large part for me and I’m sure many of those with professionaldegrees. The silence about this issue in a competitive, challengingprofession where you are asked/expected to work hard without anyhesitance is isolating. [The interest in mental health, burnout andsubstance use disorders among healthcare professionals seems to begrowing. Why do you think that is?] People are finally speaking outagainst the silence. It takes strong people to make it through these issues,and even stronger ones to speak up to help those who suffer in silence. Ithink healthcare professionals are an amazing group of people, within thatare these heroes doing this work.[If you could give advice to another healthcare professional who isstruggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, what wouldyou tell them?] You are not alone, you are strong, you DESERVE a healthyand happy life. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | P A G E 3

CAN A HEALTHCAREPROFESSIONAL SEEKCONFIDENTIAL HELP?Can a physician seek confidential help for asubstance use disorder?Yes, The Ohio General Assembly established a program thatallows an eligible practitioner who is impaired due to asubstance use disorder to avoid formal disciplinary action bythe State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) by utilizingestablished confidential monitoring and treatmentconditions as defined in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4731.251and 4731.252 - this is known as the One-Bite Program.What is the One-Bite Program?The One-Bite Program is available for all individuals licensedby the SMBO: Physicians (M.D./D.O./D.P.M.), PhysicianAssistants, Anesthesiologist Assistants, Acupuncturists,Dietitians, Genetic Counselors, Radiologist Assistant,Respiratory Care Professionals, and Massage Therapists.An SMBO licensed practitioner who has been diagnosedwith a substance use disorder. The practitioner has notparticipated previously in the program. The practitioner hasnot been sanctioned previously by the SMBO for impairment(unless the SMBO referred the practitioner to the program).Who is eligible to enter the One-Bite Program?S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | P A G E 4

For more information visitwww.ophp.orgWill the State Medical Board of Ohio know of my One-Bite Programparticipation?No. OPHP shall not disclose to the SMBO the name or any records relating to a participantunder the One-Bite Program unless certain conditions exist and in accordance with ORC4731.251(D).What treatment options do I have and how long will I be in treatment?In order to enter the One-Bite Program, a practitioner must complete a 72-hour comprehensiveevaluation at an approved One-Bite Program treatment provider; complete treatment asrecommended at an approved One-Bite Program treatment provider; and enter into acontinuing care agreement with a One-Bite Program approved continuing care provider.Continuing care shall occur weekly for a minimum of six months.How do I access or enter the One-Bite Program?The Ohio Physicians Health Program (OPHP) is approved by the State to serve as the monitoringorganization responsible for determining whether a practitioner is eligible to participate in theOne-Bite Program and for conducting the One-Bite Program. Contact OPHP at (614) 841-9690 orat info@ophp.org to start the enrollment process.If I am concerned that a friend or colleague is impaired, who do I call?Call OPHP today at (614) 841-9690. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | P A G E 5

WHAT IF I AM NOTA PHYSICIAN?For DentistsWhile no formal one-bite rule is written for those professionalslicensed under the Ohio State Dental Board, a reportingexception is honored by the Board. This occurs so long as thedentist has completed treatment with a Board approvedtreatment provider and maintained uninterrupted sobriety. Inaddition, the dentist must adhere to all other statutoryrequirements (and complete 52 sessions of aftercare at anapproved treatment provider). To be eligible for theconfidential program with the Ohio State Dental Board,monitoring is required to be established with OPHP todocument sobriety to support the dentist's continuation in orthe return to dental practice.For ChiropractorsA chiropractor is not required to be reported to the OSCB solong as they are participating in treatment or aftercare forsubstance abuse as long as he/she maintains participation inaccordance with requirements of section 4734.40 of the OhioRevised Code. The Ohio Physicians Health Program canprovide monitoring services to assist with navigating apractitioner through the rules to ensure he/she meets theserequirements. For OptometristUnder a Board Policy Statement, the Ohio State Board ofOptometry established a “one bite” exception whereby animpaired optometrist may preclude Board intervention, and theoptometrist’s colleagues may be excused from reporting theimpairment, so long as the optometrist has completed treatmentat a facility approved by the Board, maintains uninterruptedsobriety, and enters into a monitoring agreement with the OhioPhysicians Health Program or other Board approved program. Inaddition, the optometrist must adhere to all other statutoryrequirements. When the Ohio State Board of Optometry wasconsolidated with other Boards, now known as the Ohio VisionProfessionals Board, this policy continues to be honored. For VeterinariansThe Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board honorstreatment in lieu of disciplinary action for any professionallicensed under their Board so long as they are referred toOPHP. OPHP will refer out for appropriate evaluation andtreatment at a facility that specializes in evaluating andtreating healthcare professionals with substance-related andaddictive disorders. To be eligible for this non-disciplinaryprocess by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board,monitoring is required to be established with OPHP todocument sobriety to support the veterinarian's continuationin or the return to practice. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | P A G E 6

For more informationabout how OPHP canhelp you or a colleague,call one of ourcompassionate andunderstanding teammembers today at:(614) 841-9690S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | P A G E 7

Supporting Ohio's Healthcare Professionals since 1995Ohio Physicians Health Program130 E. Chestnut Street, Suite 200Columbus, Ohio 43215(614) 841-9690www.ophp.org