Should Doctors Treat Their Employees?

(A condensation of an article from the June 2, 2006 issue of Medical Economics.)

Should doctors treat their employees? That is the question!

In an informal survey, Medical Economics found that the majority of respondents do treat their staff. Others have strong reservations about the practice.

Arguments for treating staff:

· Valuable benefit that attracts and retains good employees.

· Reduces time away from work for medical treatment.

· Convenient care usually results in healthier employees, less absenteeism.

Arguments against (position taken by American College of Physicians):

· Inherent risks of hallway consultations without standard history, physical and work-ups.

· Patient confidentiality issues between "boss", employee/patient and other staff.

· Maintenance of professional distance between boss and employee.

· Potential for conflict if sending someone home for treatment creates a hardship in the practice.

Conclusions:

1. If you treat your employees, treat them the same as any other patient.

2. Billing employees on an "insurance-paid" only basis, could violate your health plan contract.

3. Make it clear that treatment by you is not mandatory.

4. Limit staff treatment to minor or emergency medical problems.

5. Never prescribe controlled substances to employees.

6. Clearly state your employee treatment policy in your employee manual.

7. Ensure that all physicians within your group follow the same protocol in treating employees.