Psychiatric consultation to a state board of medical examiners

This article describes the evolution of psychiatric consultation to the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners. The board is charged with the licensing and regulation of physicians in the state of Oregon in order to protect the public and uphold the standards of the medical profession. Psychiatric consultation has focused on the board's investigations of physicians with mental illness and/or substance abuse and physicians who inappropriately prescribe psychoactive drugs or sexually abuse patients. Each of these physician groups is described, and remedial programs for each group are discussed. The authors conclude that psychiatric consultation to medical boards is a feasible and productive activity that can make a positive contribution to the lives of a large number of physicians and patients.