The Journal of Addictive Diseases, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, has recently published a study undertaken to compare outcomes between chemically dependent physicians and physician assistants under contract with NCPHP. The 6-year retroactive chart review (1995-2000) revealed that 91% of 233 physicians, and only 59% of 34 physician assistants in the sample had good outcomes. This study was authored by Oswald H. Ganley, PhD, PA-C, a member of NCPHP Board of Directors, and Senior PA at The Healing Place of Wake County; Warren J. Pendergast, MD, current Medical Director of NCPHP; Michael W. Wilkerson, MD, former Medical Director of NCPHP and presently Medical Director at Talbott Recovery Campus; and Daniel E. Mattingly, PA-C, Central Field Coordinator for NCPHP.

The study further revealed that alcohol was the predominant substance abused, followed by opioids. Most subjects in both groups were between the ages of 30 and 55, with best outcome between the ages of 25-29, and the worst in those over 55. With paucity of data on physician assistants in the literature, this study may be one of the first to single out this group and compare their recovery rates with those of physicians while receiving similar services from NCPHP.

Copies of the study are available from The Haworth Document Delivery Service for a fee. Call 1-800-HAWORTH, or e-mail docdelivery@haworthpress.com. There is also a website http://www.HaworthPress.com from which copies can be ordered.

Congratulations to the contributing authors!