The status of physician health programs in Wisconsin and north central states: a look at statewide and health systems programs.

There is increased recognition of the importance of physician health and the need to actively maintain and promote it. Attending to the health and well-being of medical clinicians is considered an important component of professionalism, and is important for the sustainability of safe, high-quality practice of medicine. This report highlights the importance of physician health programs, describes their history and evolution as well as the variability in program structure in various states, and reviews the present status of physician health resources, especially in Wisconsin. It gives an example of a program within a large, integrated health system and emphasizes the advantages of a statewide program.