The Rhode Island Clinician Wellness and Support Act aims to protect and promote the well-being of healthcare professionals, including physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, by establishing a framework for support and intervention. The act recognizes the Rhode Island Physician Health Program (PHP) as a designated entity to provide confidential, non-disciplinary assistance to clinicians experiencing burnout, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and peer support, while ensuring that the PHP collaborates with various healthcare organizations to promote wellness resources without reliance on state funding.

The act introduces significant reforms to the licensing process for healthcare professionals. It mandates that licensing boards revise their applications to eliminate broad inquiries regarding past mental health diagnoses and focus instead on current impairments affecting safe practice that are not being appropriately managed. The act also emphasizes that seeking mental health or substance abuse treatment will not automatically result in disciplinary action.

Additionally, the act establishes confidentiality protections for clinicians seeking assistance, ensuring that communications between clinicians and the PHP remain privileged under Rhode Island law. Clinicians who voluntarily seek help through the PHP are protected from automatic reporting to their respective licensing boards, provided they comply with treatment recommendations and do not pose a risk to patient safety. The act further establishes a safe haven for clinicians who self-refer to the PHP, protecting them from mandatory reporting to licensing boards, and allows the PHP to act as a confidential liaison between clinicians and licensing boards when the clinician is actively engaged in the program and compliant with treatment. Overall, the act seeks to create a supportive environment for clinicians to seek help without fear of professional repercussions.