WMC Awarded?2023 WellBeing?First Champion?
Olympia, WA ? The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) has been recognized as a WellBeing First Champion for 2023 and was honored among only 21 other U.S. states at the Federation of State Medical Boards 2023 Annual Meeting.
In order to receive this award, ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare, a coalition of leading health care organizations, has verified that WMC licensure applications are free from intrusive and stigmatizing language around mental health care and treatment.
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This means that healthcare practitioners can seek needed care without fear of losing their license or job. In many cases, invasive licensure questions were originally developed with the intent of protecting the public. While, there is no evidence indicating that these questions offer protection it is well documented that they often hamper practitioners from seeking care. |
?If you are struggling with your mental health, even if you feel the issue is insignificant, we urge you to seek help. Practitioners seeking mental health care should not fear career setbacks for seeking help. Ensuring that practitioners, can access necessary mental health, substance use, and physical healthcare not only benefits the practitioner, but it also benefits patients and the community. Patient outcomes should improve when we prioritize practitioner well-being, because to care for others, clinicians must also be cared for,? said Micah Matthews, WMC Deputy Director.
The WMC encourages other medical boards and credentialing committees to follow suit.
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please reach out to our licensing unit at [email protected] or at 360-236-2750 (option #1).
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The WMC promotes patient safety and enhances the integrity of the medical profession through licensing, rule-making, discipline, and education. Learn more about the commission at wmc.wa.gov. Follow the WMC on Facebook and Twitter.
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