I just wanted to share what a PD pal of mine is facing in Texas. She is a Physician who hopes to return to practicing Pediatrics after she delivers her child. I was appalled to learn that she is being "recruited" for the Texas Physician's Health Program based on her PD diagnosis. Mind you this program exists to track physicians and physician assistants who have substance abuse issues and mental health disorders. So, now apparently,
in addition to having a neurological condition, state licensing boards may confer upon us a mental health disorder label?!?!

I understand the need for patient safety, but it is insulting beyond words that not one researcher, not one doctor can point to any definitive standard or definition of what comprises the scale toward PD dementia, especially in Young Onset PWP. Not one can even adequately explain it to us, yet they are going to hold a cogent medical professional who still has much to contribute to some standard that no one can yet define? Please correct me if I am wrong; is there some clear brochure or standard that is used beyond the MMTE to measure our capacity to continue working or that gives clear criteria to establish us as having mental health issues?

I am really upset by this because she is actively being discouraged from practicing medicine. She has supplied a letter of support from her neurologist and it is deemed not good enough. This week they want to interview her, and then in order to even be granted a medical license she has to be party to some sort of monitoring program while in practice. What is really unsettling is that the law was just set into motion this year. Obviously, there is no legal precedent set for ushering her unwillingly into such a program. If Texas is allowed to do this what does it mean for the ADA and PWP in other states? I encouraged her to consult with a lawyer right away before she communicated further with this oversight board. It seems to me that they wish to use her as a means to establish precedent, and I don't think that any one of us would wish to be used as an example like this.

Has anyone heard of this program? I know we have some practicing medical professionals out here and others who used to practice...what do you make of all this?

Laura