From the Editor

Abstract

IN THIS, THE FINAL ISSUE OF JMR THAT I WILL OVERSEE we present content that raises important questions that boards must consider.The “FSMB Census of Licensed Physicians in the US, 2022” reports that there are now more than one million licensed physicians. Possibly one-half of the physicians polled are suffering burnout and nearly 60% would not pursue medicine again if asked. Of concern is the growing number of young women who are particularly vulnerable to burnout with family, childbearing, and practice responsibilities. Are the absolute numbers or the number of high functioning physicians who practice good self-care most important? In state medical boards' role to protect the public, should higher priority be given to supporting physicians so they can effectively climb out of burnout and happily practice at their best?In ”Tele-Psychiatry for College Students: Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned from the Pandemic,” de Faria and colleagues demonstrate some of the benefits and challenges of tele-psychiatry often across state lines for college students. College is stressful at some point for most students and readily accessible counselling is important to keep them in school and to learn how to deal with a more independent life than most ever had before. Acceptance to a college of their choice was a highlight, but then they were faced with huge tuition payments often with loans, then suddenly they were back home isolating, and pivoting to remote learning. The emotional impact and stress have been huge. Some students have benefitted from distance learning, and I think it is here to stay. Should those students be deprived of confidential psychiatric care offered to those on campus? Now that the pandemic is over, the temporary laws allowing long distance tele-psychiatry are being retracted. The very first telemedicine was successful tele-psychiatry in the early 1960s. Should at least some of these practices be continued?In JMR issue 108:3, Giddings and colleagues published “Do Medical Licensing Questions on Health Conditions Pose a Barrier to Physicians Seeking Treatment?” which was a review of current literature on the impact of medical licensure questions on physician health-seeking behavior as well as patient care. In this issue of JMR, we offer a Letter to the Editor from Barrett and colleagues in support of the Giddings article, a Response from Giddings and colleagues, and a Commentary from Ronald Harter highlighting progress, but ongoing need for optimizations to application questions. Rewriting widely variable practices among jurisdictions may allow physicians to safely report they are getting adequate treatment and able to safely practice medicine. Many medical students get psychiatric care and report it on a license application, only to be hit with immense stigma and sometimes license limitations. Should physicians have to live in fear of medical boards acting on their license because they took care of themselves?It has been an honor to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of JMR. I thank all who have written and reviewed manuscripts, facilitated the transition to the new oversight structure, electronic submission and review platform, and full searchable online access to the journal. I am delighted to welcome Mark Bechtel, MD as JMR's new Editor-in-Chief. He will be an excellent steward for the journal with his extensive experience in medical regulation and prior diligent service on the editorial committee.