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ForwardApril 23, 2026: Non-Endowed Grand Rounds- Professorial - Physician Substance Use: Prevention, Identification, and Recovery
Physician Substance Use: Prevention, Identification, and Recovery
Description:
This talk will review the harmful effects that physician impairment from SUD has on patient care, characteristics of substance use disorders (SUDs) among physicians, including prevalence, co-occurring conditions, and gender-specific considerations. Additionally, evidence-based treatment approaches and long-term outcomes will be discussed.
“This lecture is eligible for risk management”.
Target Audience
This program is intended for Psychiatrists, Psychologists, General and Family Practice Physicians, Psychiatric Nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Social Workers.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the activity, participants will be able to:
- Explain the prevalence and unique characteristics of SUDs among physicians.
- Discuss co-occurring psychiatric conditions and gender-specific considerations.
- Recognize the harmful effects that physician SUD has on patient care.
- Describe evidence-based treatment approaches, long-term outcomes, and recovery rates in monitored physician populations.
SPEAKER(S)
John Fromson, MD
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
John Fromson, MD
John A. Fromson, MD, is the Director of Professional Development in the Department of Psychiatry at BWH and a clinician with the BWH Faculty and Trainee Mental Health Program. He serves on the BWH Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, BWH/Harvard Psychiatry Residency Clinical Competency Committee, and the MGB AMC Department of Psychiatry Appointments and Promotions Committee. He served as a Vice Chair at BWH and Chief of Psychiatry at BWFH and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in psychiatry, child psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry. Dr. Fromson is a Past-President of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors.
His clinical and research activities focus on issues relating to physician and medical student health, professional development, and patient safety. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Council on Addiction Psychiatry, past chair of the APA Committee on Physician Health, Illness and Impairment, and was the founding director and served as president of Physician Health Services, a national model in identifying, monitoring, and guiding the recovery of physicians and medical students with substance use disorders and mental and physical illness. He is also chair of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry's Group on Physician Health, and past president of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs. He was elected Class A Trustee of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. (AA).
Dr. Fromson is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He twice received the Harvard Medical School Excellence in Tutoring Award as well as the Harvard Medical School Class of 2017 Excellence in Clinical Instruction Award. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Clinician Award from Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Disclosures: no disclosures.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of IHP and Massachusetts General Hospital. IHP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
IHP designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 Nursing Contact Hours
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.
This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 1.00 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit. Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.
- 1.00 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 clock hours for continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.
- 1.00 Psychologists CE Credit
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.00 CE credit.
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
1.0 Physicians
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
1.0 Physician Associates/Assistants
AAPA Credit Designation Statement – Live
MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
AAPA Credit Designation Statement – Enduring Materials
MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until {Expiration Date). PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
1.0 Nursing
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.0 contact hours for nurses. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
1.0 Pharmacists
This activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing education credit.
NOTE FOR PHARMACISTS: Upon closing of the electronic evaluation, IHP will upload the pharmacy-related continuing education information to the CPE Monitor within 60 days. Per ACPE rules, IHP does not have access nor the ability to upload credits requested after the evaluation closes. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist or pharmacy technician to provide the correct information [NABP ePID and DOB (in MMDD format)] in order to receive credit for participating in a CE activity.
1.0 Psychologists:
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.0 CE credit.
1.0 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 clock hours for continuing education credits.
1.0 IPCE Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.