Working in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic Can Be Traumatic for Health Care Providers

A little known point of law was recently highlighted in a Washington Post article. An unfortunate reality of the health care field today is providers almost being expected to be sub human robots, devoid of feeling or emotion. These health care workers may not be able to handle traumatic events without an impact on their mental health. Care providers in this state can be punished for having obtained mental health care years ago, their fitness to practice challenged.  Disclosing intimate details of their lives to mental health professionals should not be punitive. We frequently deal with broad and sweeping requests from Board investigators who demand these privileged records from our clients’ mental health care providers, and there is often little we can do to interfere. It is a sad but very real truth. The fact is, providers are human. Each person has their own, unique and personal story to tell. But only they should decide who gets to hear that story. You can read the article here.