Return to work for junior doctors after ill-health

The Medical Board of Queensland, through its Health Assessment and Monitoring Program, provides active support to the medical profession, particularly to doctors recovering from impairment (ie, illness which has been serious enough to affect their capacity to practise). There are about 50 new referrals to the program each year — 37% have a psychiatric illness, 45% involve drug misuse (other than alcohol), and 7% alcohol misuse. At least 60% of practitioners who come to the Board's attention have a dual diagnosis (eg, depression and drug misuse).