We all recognize that working in medicine is tremendously demanding. Factors such as long hours, a high-stress work environment, shift work, being away from families and excessive paperwork can cause even the best clinicians to feel like they are "at the end of their rope." Sometimes stress can cause a good person to make bad decisions.

        Physician assistants in New Jersey are fortunate to have access to the Professionals' Assistance Program of NJ (PAPNJ), the only professional assistance program approved by the State Board of Medical Examiners. The function of the PAPNJ is to provide a means to identify, evaluate, treat and monitor healthcare professionals who may suffer from diseases of impairment. Clinicians suffering from such conditions may deliver substandard care to their patients and compromise the public safety if left undiagnosed and untreated. Almost any medical condition can affect a clinician's ability to practice medicine with requisite skill and safety. Conditions commonly addressed by the PAPNJ include:

        Most commonly, clinicians are referred to the PAPNJ for assistance. In this case colleagues, friends, family members or patients of a clinician who may be impaired contact the PAPNJ directly. If you know someone in need of help, please use the information below to contact the PAPNJ. Any information relayed to the PAPNJ is held in strict confidence, and the identity of the referral source is never revealed unless the referral source agrees.

        In other cases, a clinician may recognize the development of impairment and voluntarily contact the PAPNJ for assistance. Working with the staff of the PAPNJ, an individualized treatment and monitoring plan will be developed.

        After an initial assessment, the PAPNJ staff will recommend a treatment or recovery plan and monitor progress toward that plan. In the vast majority of cases, PAPNJ program participants are able to resume the practice of medicine with only brief interruption. The PAPNJ will assist program participants in working with the State Board of Medical Examiners, hospital administration and even the courts to return to practice when it is safe to do so.

Contact the Professionals' Assistance Program

To speak to someone directly, please call the PAPNJ office during business hours. Voice mail operates 24 hours daily and contact will be made on the next business day.

Professionals' Assistance Program of NJ

742 Alexander Road

PO Box 8568

Princeton, NJ 08540-8658

 

Phone: 609-919-1660

Fax: 609-919-1611