Passage of Georgia's SafeHaven: Providing Emotional Support for Georgia's Healthcare Workers
Article written by Dr. John S. Antalis, Dalton Primary Care
On April 30, 2024, Governor Kemp signed House Bill 455, the “Professional Programs to Address Career Fatigue and Wellness in Healthcare Professionals.” I am very proud to have played an active part in the development of this bill, seven years in the making, from the very start.
The origin of this law actually began in 2017 when my colleague, Dr. Keisha Callins, was a Georgia Composite Board member and Chair of the Wellness Committee at the Board. The function of the Committee is to evaluate and follow physicians and extenders who may have issues involving their mental and physical health. Dr. Callins noted increasing evidence that physicians, due to personal and work stress, were quitting often way before their time. There was also an increase in physician suicide. Terms like “burn out” became new phrases to explain the issue. The key difference was that these physicians did not have a substance issue, which would have been referred to the Georgia Physician Health Program, which does an excellent job with these physicians.
This was the year I served as Chairman of the Georgia Composite Board. Dr. Callins and I discussed potential options to address this new problem. I felt the best direction was through the Medical Association of Georgia, which had the resources to bring this issue to light in Georgia. I wrote a resolution that Dr. Callins and I co-sponsored and presented to the MAG HOD in October 2018. A survey at the time of MAG HOD delegates found that nearly 90 percent of delegates believed that “physician burnout is undermining patient care.”
What really gave impetus to this resilience program was the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As you can remember, we lost many very qualified and caring physicians to burnout, suicide, and early retirement. It became clear our healthcare workers were overwhelmed and had little or no support to care for the increasingly ill Georgia patients with COVID-19.
Dr. Callins led a MAG’s Physician Resilience Task Force (PRTF), of which I was the Medical Board’s liaison. The PRTF quickly shifted its priorities to developing pandemic recommendations and posting pertinent resources on its web page. The PRTF’s ‘Health Care Workforce Resilience in a Pandemic Fact Sheet’ provided a proactive framework for physicians, healthcare workers, and health systems. It addressed the pandemic stages (i.e., what to expect based on where you are in the pandemic’s timeline), system and practice resilience leadership roles (i.e., who needs to do what during a pandemic), and a R.E.S.C.U.E. checklist (i.e., how to work through a pandemic).
It was at this time that I received a call from my friend and colleague, Dr. Jacqueline Fincher, who was then president of the American College of Physicians. She was aware of our efforts to create support for healthcare workers to prevent burnout during COVID-19. She had been in Virginia and learned about their resilience program, SafeHaven, which had been passed in their legislature and signed by their Governor. Its features include legal protections when addressing issues related to burnout by healthcare workers. It also provided immunity for reporting healthcare workers when there is a legitimate concern that they are a danger to themselves or others, and consultations by SafeHaven participants were considered privileged communications and did not pose a risk to a medical license except in extraordinary circumstances.
After studying and talking to my Virginia colleagues about SafeHaven, I became convinced that Georgia needed its own SafeHaven program. Both the Georgia Composite Board and the Medical Association of Georgia were strongly supportive of legislative action to pass a SafeHaven bill. We were also very grateful to the Georgia legislators who worked to pass the bill in three years.
I would like to thank the members and staff of the Medical Association of Georgia, the Resilience Task Force of physicians and staff that persisted with this idea through some difficult times, the Physicians Foundation, the Virginia SafeHaven program with their expertise, and the MAG Legislative Team that worked with legislators to pass the bill. Now healthcare workers, physicians, PA’s, nurses, and all others in the health field can get emotional help without the stigma of embarrassment and potential job loss.
More posts
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
The SPCP Difference – highlighting the individuals who advocate for providers and patients: A conversation with Eric Pfleger
The SPCP Difference – highlighting the individuals who advocate for providers and patients: A conversation with Eric Pfleger
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
The SPCP Difference – highlighting the individuals who advocate for providers and patients: A conversation with Dr. Danielle Lin
The SPCP Difference – highlighting the individuals who advocate for providers and patients: A conversation with Dr. Danielle Lin
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners Expands Geographic Footprint into Tennessee with Addition of Restore Health & Wellness
Southeast Primary Care Partners (SPCP), a primary care-focused medical group dedicated to achieving true value-based care everywhere, today announced its expansion into Tennessee and a new practice partnership with Restore Health & Wellness in Chattanooga. Led by Dr. Tye Young, DO, the primary care practice includes a dedicated team of healthcare professionals committed to providing patients with personalized care that considers a person's unique needs and aspirations.
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Tiffany Anderson Joins Southeast Primary Care Partners as Senior Vice President of Operations
Skilled Healthcare Operations Leader to Oversee Clinical Efficiency
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Medical Group of Central Georgia Joins Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners (SPCP), a primary care-focused medical group dedicated to achieving true value-based care everywhere, today announced a new practice partnership with Medical Group of Central Georgia.
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners Ranks No. 160 on Inc. Magazine’s List of the Southeast Region’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Inc. magazine today revealed that Southeast Primary Care Partners (SPCP) is No. 160 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Southeast list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Southeast private companies, based in South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners and Emory Healthcare Network align to offer coordinated care
SPCP aligns with EHN to improve patient care coordination.
Written by Craig Worland, Chief Development Officer
Craig's 2024 Industry Predictions
In 2024, there will be a surge of healthcare transactions from companies that would like to sell, but have been waiting on the market to improve. As interest rates peak and begin to fall, we will see a flurry of deals, some possibly below market prices, indicating a shift towards a buyer’s market.
Written by Craig Worland, Chief Development Officer
Craig's Reflections on the 2023 Healthcare Landscape
2023 was an interesting year for healthcare. With the swift rise of AI and its impact on every aspect of the industry to a renewed focus on rural health and the need to prioritize patients at every level, my head was like a swivel keeping up with the stories day to day. In January, I made a few predictions on how healthcare would shift in 2023.
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners Wraps 2023 with Expanded Regional Footprint, Revenue Growth and Enhanced Services
Medical Group Continues Rapid Growth in the Southeast, Supporting Primary Care Physicians and Boosting Access to Proactive, Preventive and Community-based Care
Written by Eric Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, President, Co-founder
Eric's Reflections on the 2023 Healthcare Landscape
Looking back on the evolving healthcare landscape of 2023, it’s easy to see that it was a pivotal year for our industry. In January, I made three predictions about the year ahead. Now that 2023 is coming to a close, I’m reflecting on those predictions to see what movement we’ve seen in the space and offer a glimpse into what lies ahead in 2024.
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners Continues Alabama Expansion, Welcoming Keel & Associates
Primary Care-Focused Medical Group Continues to Improve Access to High-Quality Healthcare in the Southeast
Written by Eric Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, President, Co-founder
Healthcare in America: where we are, and where we’re going
The healthcare system in America is at a crossroads.
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
SPCP's Craig Worland Named to Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 Under 40
We are thrilled to share that Southeast Primary Care Partners' COO, Craig Worland, has been named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 Under 40 List!
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Solving the Physician Shortage with International Med Students
Solving the Physician Shortage
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Written by Southeast Primary Care Partners
Southeast Primary Care Partners Continues Alabama Expansion, Welcoming Bear Creek Family Practice
Southeast Primary Care Partners, an Independent Primary Care Supergroup, Continues to Improve Access to Primary Care
Evaluation and Treatment of Low Back Pain in Adults
Evaluation and Treatment of Low Back Pain in Adults
Written by Eric Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, President, Co-founder
America’s Sick Care System: Why We’re Failing and How Independent Primary Care Can Save Us
It’s time to face the harsh truth about healthcare in the United States: our system is failing us.
Written by Eric Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, President, Co-founder
Enhancing Access to Primary Care in Rural Areas: Bridging the Healthcare Gap
Access to primary care is a fundamental aspect of a well-functioning healthcare system. For people living in rural areas, there can be significant challenges in finding and accessing primary care services. Geographical isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare professionals are some of the key obstacles faced by those in rural communities. However, with innovative strategies and collaborative efforts, we can work towards improving access to primary care and bridging healthcare gaps in rural areas.
Written by Craig Worland, Chief Development Officer
Reflections on the JP Morgan Nashville Healthcare Leadership Summit
By prioritizing the needs of our primary care physicians and providing them with the support they need, we can attract and retain top talent, leading to better patient care and overall success.
The Future of Physician-Owned Groups in Value-Based Healthcare
Value-based reimbursement will be driven by physician-owned groups that represent true partnerships and integration of practice management with patient care.
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
CEO Eric Lisle and CDO Craig Worland- Race to Value!
CEO Eric Lisle and CDO Craig Worland- Race to Value!
Staying Healthy in February: Tips from a Primary Care Physician
Are you struggling to stay healthy this February? Dr. David Hall, a primary care physician, shares his expert tips on how to beat the winter blues.
The Value and Values of the Primary Care Physician
As the healthcare system shifts towards a value-based model, the role of the primary care physician (PCP) has become increasingly important.
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
The Benefits of Joining an Independent Medical Group
... it can be incredibly hard to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. Staying up to date with policies, regulations, and technologies is a full-time job.
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Keeping Up with Industry Changes in the Medical Field
As a medical practice owner, you need to stay up-to-date on industry news and trends that are impacting your profession.
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Steps to Selling Your Medical Practice Successfully
Selling a medical practice comes with its fair share of stressors; however by following these steps—gathering relevant documents/data points about the business/operations...
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Breaking Free from Anxiety: A Guide to Taking Control
Anxiety can make you feel like you're trapped in your own mind, constantly worried and afraid. But don't worry, you're not alone in this battle!
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Southeast Medical Group- A Great Place to Serve!
Great Team, Great Company- Southeast Medical Group
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Challenges of Owning an Independent Physician Practice
Owning an independent physician practice comes with its own unique set of challenges.
Written by Alex L. Hayman, FACHE, CHHR
Cognitive Migraine Management: My Experience with Aphasia Migraine
My Experience with Aphasia Migraine
