Practitioner Health Issues Featuring Before New Zealand's Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal: An Analysis of Cases 2003-2014.

ABSTRACT

Increasingly, the health and wellbeing of professionals is causing concern, particularly when it compromises the interests of those they serve. Often their health issues are reported when their conduct results in professional disciplinary action. In New Zealand, health practitioners who appeared before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal for misconduct reported a range of physical and mental health conditions. This study of 288 decisions revealed the professions that reported diverse health issues, including categories of health issues, in published decisions between 2004 and 2014. The study also identified how frequently practitioners self-reported impairment or submitted health evidence from others of their physical and/or mental health status and/or their substance dependence. The study's findings may be applied preventatively for the benefit of practitioners and the people they serve, thereby promoting the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (NZ)'s emphasis on public safety.