Opinion: Medical schools need to offer students alternatives to state physician health programs

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness about the mental health challenges faced by medical students. The pandemic only exacerbated concerns about med student well-being, making it more critical than ever to ensure that future physicians with mental health issues have access to top-notch, affordable, confidential care.

But is that happening? I am a psychiatrist and former associate director in a state physician health program (PHP).  For more than a decade, I have written a lot about concerns I have had about standard PHP practices. As a result, I am contacted by medical students and/or practicing physicians from all over the country several times a week.

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