HPRP Video

Annual Report

• Referral – Information regarding possible impairment given to the HPRP may come from colleagues, partners, hospital administrations, patients, family members, the State or the licensee himself or herself. All information is held in strict confidence, according to the wishes of the reporting party, with protection from civil and criminal liability, as long as the report or information is given in good faith.
• Intake - This involves gathering information and descriptions of the possible problem. A licensee may participate in the HPRP if he or she agrees to comply with the requirements of the program. Through this participation, the licensee usually will be able to be diverted from the disciplinary track which would involve the licensing board of his or her profession. If there is reason to believe there may be a problem which could result in impaired practice and the individual refuses evaluation or subsequent treatment, the individual will be referred to the Department of Community Health.
• Evaluation - If the individual may be qualified for the HPRP, he or she is then referred to a qualified evaluator. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the nature of the problem and to help the HPRP contractor to design a recovery plan.
• Treatment - If the evaluation indicates chemical dependency or a mental illness that represents a possible impairment, the HPRP makes referrals for treatment services. These referrals will be for a level of care which is appropriate to the severity of the problem. The treatment approach will generally involve a multi-disciplinary approach to treat the whole person. Recovery Monitoring Agreement - At the same time, the HPRP will work with the person to establish a recovery plan which is defined by a written agreement. The monitoring agreement will typically last one to three years, by which time the recovery of the participant should be well-established. This recovery monitoring agreement may include elements such as limitations on practice or employment, random drug screening, various monitoring and progress reports, meetings with self-help and/or peer support groups, evaluation and treatment. During the monitoring period, the HPRP will communicate with the licensee and their provider team in order to support the participant's continued work in the professional setting. This serves to assure the people of the State of Michigan that the health care providers who are caring for them are providing that care in a safe and competent manner.
• Completion of the HPRP - A HPRP participant will be released from the HPRP upon successful completion of the recovery monitoring agreement. All records are destroyed five years after the date of successful completion of the program. However, once a health professional is accepted into the program, he or she may be terminated for failure to comply with the agreement. These terminations are reported to the Bureau of Health Professions and could result in subsequent disciplinary actions.

© 2006 - 2008 Michigan Department of Community Health - Health Professional Recovery Program