News

At the January 28, 2026 meeting, the DC Board of Medicine recommended a change to a license question designed to identify physicians undergoing treatment. The recommended question reads as follows:

"Do you have a condition that currently impairs your judgement or adversely affects your ability to practice medicine in a competent, ethical, and professional manner? (Yes/No)"

DC is one of 10 states that the American Medical Association and Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation had identified as not having recommended language on its license application. As the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation says on its website:

"Like everyone, health workers deserve the right to pursue mental health care without fear of losing their job. However, overly invasive mental health questions in licensing and credentialing applications prevent health workers from seeking support and increase the risk of suicide.

Such questioning tends to be broad or stigmatizing, such as asking about past mental health care and treatment, which has no bearing on a health worker’s ability to provide care and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ensuring that health workers can access mental health care when needed not only benefits their wellbeing, but it also improves the health of our entire country."

The next step is for DC Health HRLA (Health Regulations and Licensing Administration) staff to review the recommendation and approve the change. MSDC will follow up with recommended action for members.

This is a big win for physicians and physician health, and MSDC thanks the Board of Medicine for taking this step.