Disclosing psychiatric care

5 posts · started Jun 16, 2010

hppygr8ful Jun 16, 2010, 4:05 PM
Slippery slope for Physicians because while your medical records are private in most cases HIPPA will not cover your right to privacy if the physician has a real concern that you may not be safe to practice. In that case he or she is required to report you to the board. He/She would also have to report you to law enforcement if they felt you were actively suicidal or homicidal or if in their opinion you were "Gravely Disabled" by reason of mental illness. Once such a report is made your medical history becomes a matter of public record.
That's the legal stuff.
Now if you are new in a program of recovery with a state board monitoring you there will be rules for disclosure of past medical and treatment history that you will be required to follow. You usually have to disclose the names of your doctors you see and what medications you are taking and for how long you've been taking them. If you withhold any part of that history and the board finds out it may disqualify you from the program and further jeapordize your license. It's best not to try to hide anything from the board regarding any recent psychiatric treatment. In may in fact be in your favor to disclose such information as it indicates you were attempting to seek help for your problem.
A specific example might be. You tested positive for benzo's but have a prescription written by a Dr. who is treating you for anxiety as opposed to your buying that medication off the internet or diverting it from hospital supply. In any case you should not have been using benzo's at work but at least you could show you had a valid reason for it's being in your system.

Remember that effective recovery from addiction requires a program of rigorous honesty in all your affairs. That means hiding nothing from those involved in your treatment.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy
cali510 Jun 16, 2010, 5:12 PM
I would think that if you are going through self-initiated contact with the Board that you would be open in disclosing everything that is pertinent. Otherwise, they would not find out in the course of everyday business unless your doctor was inclined to report you to the Board. Many people do not disclose to people they deal with what their occupation is if they fear negative consequences of any kind.
tweetybird rn Oct 30, 2010, 12:14 PM
Hi Nikalea, I have heard that list of Rx's can be pulled up. I'm not sure if they do that in Texas or not. Other than that, not sure how they would find out. Unless how someone else mentioned that the MD turns you in do to something you say. In TPAPN you have turn in all progress notes as well, so they do know everything you talk about. Does make it hard really hard when you really want to open up. How are you doing ?
Tweetybird rn