ISMA’s physician wellness steering committee, formed this past spring, is working hard to enhance the well-being and resilience of current and future physicians in the Hoosier State.
After reaching out to dozens of practicing physicians statewide for feedback, the committee distributed a survey at the ISMA 174th Annual Convention in September to gain insights from members on the top wellness issues physicians and medical students face today.
With the results compiled, the committee is now focusing on where to put resources to address prevention, remediation, and treatment.
Chair Richard Gunderman, MD, PhD, and vice chair Jane Bridges, MD, lead the committee, which currently has 10 members.
Dr. Gunderman, who will be authoring or co-authoring monthly wellness-related articles for ISMA Reports starting in this issue, said the steering committee is open to adding additional members and encourages physicians, residents and medical students statewide to participate. Currently, the committee has members from Districts 2, 7, 9, 12 and 13.
Read Dr. Gunderman’s first wellness article, co-written with IUSM MS-4 Matthew Thornburg,
here.
Please visit
www.ismanet.org/SteeringCommitteeForm to register to volunteer.
Additional resources
ISMA Physician Assistance Program
The ISMA Physician Assistance Program (PAP) was created to assist physicians experiencing difficulties in their personal or professional lives. Experience indicates that an untreated psychiatric, substance use or stress disorder can eventually lead to problems in a physician’s medical practice. Obtaining assistance during these troubled times can be beneficial to the physician personally and can help avert a crisis in the professional workplace.
Call 1-800-257-4762 or 317-261-2060 and ask for the ISMA Physician Assistance Program staff.
CHAMP, Be Happy programs bridging gaps in mental health care
Two free consultation programs, one focused on adults and the other for youth, are closing gaps in mental health care.
ISMA, General Assembly Advocate for Behavioral and Mental Health Improvements
Amid growing concern about Hoosiers’ behavioral and mental health, the 2023 legislative session provided a platform for the Indiana General Assembly to make meaningful changes. The General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1 (Behavioral health matters) in the final days of the session, with the Indiana State Medical Association and numerous other stakeholder groups rallying around the bill in support of its passage.