Princeton Insurance strives to be more than just an insurance provider to the New Jersey healthcare community. It is through the company’s empathy, understanding and support of healthcare providers that a true feeling of partnership has been, and continues to be, conveyed to those we insure.
As such, in 1982, Princeton Insurance made a donation to an organization that was formed to offer assistance to physicians who are hindered by substance abuse. The organization, called the Impaired Physicians Program of the Medical Society of New Jersey, not only sought to benefit healthcare professionals who are in need of treatment, but also helped to protect the patients of New Jersey.
“Dr. David Canavan, the original director of the program, made a compelling case for the benefits of our participation, both to the patient population and medical community,” noted Paul Mathewson, who was Princeton’s marketing manager at the time. “We were proud to be one of the founding supporters of the program.”
In this 1982 photo, Donald E. Smith, left, then-vice President of Princeton Insurance (HCIE/PIC at the time), presents a check to David I. Canavan, M.D., who was medical director of the Medical Society of New Jersey's Impaired Physician Program (now called PAP). With them are Paul Mathewson, who was Princeton's underwriting and marketing manager at the time, and Arthur White, who was the financial director for the medical society.
Today, Princeton Insurance supports the organization in a different way; by donating office space in which the organization now houses its headquarters.
Over the years, the Impaired Physicians Program has evolved, changed names and expanded its services. Most recently it was called the Physician Health Program before it was discontinued by the Medical Society of New Jersey and reformed and recreated by Dr. Lois E. Baxter, Sr. Now it is known as the Professional Assistance Program of New Jersey (PAPNJ, or PAP for short). Their offices are located in building 742 on Alexander Road.
Dr. Baxter, the executive medical director of PAP, explained that that the organization was in danger of being disbanded. But, he said, through the help of its supporters, the program was able to keep its doors open and its vital services in tact.
“The Medical Society of New Jersey announced that the program was going to be discontinued this year as of May 31,” said Dr. Baxter. “I sought to continue this important program through the many supporters on a state and national level.
“Princeton Insurance agreed to house us and support us as we began our new operation,” he added.
Dr. Baxter went on to explain that Princeton’s dedication to the doctors of New Jersey is apparent through various outreach efforts, including their support of PAP.
“Princeton Insurance was one of the first insurance companies to support the Physician Health Program back in 1982,” he said. “They have always been interested in protecting public safety and welfare beyond insuring physicians in their medical practices.”
The staff of PAP set up temporary offices on the 2nd floor of building 742 on June 1, 2005 before moving into their permanent location, on the ground floor, on September 1, 2005.
What is PAP?
The mission of PAP is to provide services to protect the public safety and welfare of the citizens of New Jersey through education, identification, evaluation, treatment planning, and advocacy for licensed healthcare and other professionals in recovery from impairing medical conditions and illnesses.
“We consider addiction and substance use disorders to be chronic health disorders, similar to diabetes or hypertension,” said Dr. Baxter. “That’s why it is so important to us that our patients have a 'full treatment experience' with includes detoxification, rehabilitation and maintenance."
“We have a 96.3 percent success rate after one year,” added Dr. Baxter, who said that in comparison to other chronic illnesses, this success rate is remarkably high.
“The success rate for treating and maintaining diabetes is 60 percent and for hypertension it’s 52 percent after one year,” he said. “Our high success rate has to do with appropriate assessment and diagnosis with the right treatment, along with our intensive, long-term follow-up.
“Success rates are always higher when the follow-ups are intense,” commented Dr. Baxter.
According to the PAP Web site, the prevalence of healthcare professional impairment is largely unknown among groups other than physicians, but it has been estimated conservatively to be between 10 to 15 percent of the population. It goes on to explain that in New Jersey, there are more than 207,000 licensed healthcare professionals including nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and other allied health professionals, as well as doctors. Accordingly, says the Web site, there may be more than 20,000 impaired healthcare professionals in the state.
“The impairments we treat are not only related to drugs, alcohol or psychiatric problems, but are also metabolic impairments as well as physical impairments.”
Dr. Baxter said that the organization has expanded its outreach to include other licensed healthcare professionals including pharmacists, dentists, nurses, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, acupuncturists, physician assistants and nursing assistants.
“Our staff members are all certified in the field of addiction treatment,” he said. “I am certified by the American Society of Addictive Medicine as is Dr. David Canavan, who was the first full-time medical director of this type of organization in the nation.”
Dr. Canavan was the medical director in 1982, when Princeton first formed its relationship with the organization. He is a member of the clinical staff today, along with other well-trained and highly educated certified staff members.
What they do
“Typically, a healthcare professional is either self-referred to us or referred by his/her hospital or practice. Sometimes, they are referred by the state board of medical examiners,” said Dr. Baxter.
“Initially, we conduct a face-to-face evaluation, a comprehensive interview including laboratory testing and administer a diagnosis based upon standard medical diagnostic criteria.”
Dr. Baxter went on to explain that the staff members then create treatment plans for the healthcare professionals and then monitor their recovery for a minimum of five years to confirm the treatment plan has been effective.
The participants in the program visit PAP on a monthly basis at the onset with decreasing frequency over the subsequent years, said Dr. Baxter. During this time, he said, they conduct random lab testing.
“Over the 20 years this program has existed, we have had more than 2,000 participants,” said Dr. Baxter. “We currently see 642 active cases and average 85 new participants annually.”
Returning participants to practice
“We have an arrangement with the State Board of Medical Examiners that allow us to administer the Alternative Resolution Program,” said Dr. Baxter.
He explained that a committee of the State Board of Medical Examiners, the Impairment Review Committee (IRC), reviews each PAP participant case and if they meet certain criteria, they are then enrolled in the Alternative Resolution Program. It is through this program that, once they are deemed to be fit, the professional may return to practice. Throughout this process, the healthcare professionals remain anonymous, said Dr. Baxter. “However, if they relapse, they are identified to the state board of medical examiners and taken out of practice,” he said.
About the staff
Dr. Baxter, a published author, is also a consultant for the NFL. For the past three years, he has helped them to develop their substance abuse policies. He has worked in the field of addiction treatment for 17 years, and has formerly served as the medical director for Addiction Medicine for Penn State-Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA.
The three clinical staff members include David I. Canavan, M.D.; Tiido Kallas, M.D. and Edward G. Reading, Ph.D., LCADC. Linda A. Pleva, Executive Assistant/Program Administrator, is a founding full-time staff member.
Contact the PAP
If you wish to contact the PAP, you can call them 24-hours a day at (609) 919-1660. All voicemails are kept confidential. They can also be reached by fax at (609) 919-1611.
Dr. Baxter is available for lectures and CME on all topics of impairment and related psychiatric issues.
Visit the PAPNJ Web site at www.PAPNJ.org