MULTIDISCIPLINARY FITNESS FOR DUTY ASSESSMENTS
FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS 

We believe that when a healthcare professional undergoes an assessment, it signals the beginning of a shift in their lives. We conduct two types of assessments: 1) a clinical evaluation, where the referral comes from a physician health program, hospital, or group practice; and 2) a forensic assessment, where the referral comes from a licensing entity and/or in cases where the physician's licensing entity might become involved. The latter assessment is considered “forensic” due to it occurring within an administrative law context in which we are being asked to provide an expert opinion regarding the individual’s fitness to practice.

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Often, the professional who is required to undergo a fitness to practice assessment feels stuck between a rock and a hard place. First, they are being required to participate in an evaluation process that will take them away from family, work, and other familiar surroundings. Second, it involves an unplanned expense. Third, it can be unsettling to realize that one’s professional, psychological, emotional, interpersonal, cognitive, and physical functioning will be open to inquiry and examination.

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We conduct multidisciplinary fitness to practice assessments with adherence to a process that takes into account multiple levels of analysis to increase the validity of our conclusions and recommendations. In order to reduce biases at different levels of analysis, our sound multidisciplinary evaluations are focused on three goals: 1) to help preserve the safety and integrity of those whom the licensed professional serves; 2) to help the client and others involved gain a deeper understanding of their predicament; and 3) define a causal explanation for the presenting problem that links directly to recommendations for treatment, monitoring and/or rehabilitation if indicated.

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The difficulties that lead to an assessment vary widely:

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• Sexual misconduct, harassment, and boundary violations

• Substance use disorders

• Personality factors that complicate the monitoring process

• Distress and disruption in the workplace

• Psychiatric disorders

• Difficulties with professional role functioning

• Complex and difficult to understand cases

• Challenges associated with aging

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Referral sources requiring specific details regarding the elements associated with a professional assessment, please schedule a phone appointment with one of our doctors.

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To learn more about undergoing an assessment, please call our office at 785.856.8218 to schedule a phone call with one of our doctors.

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