The Iowa Board of Medicine is looking to update its licensing applications for physicians in a move that could encourage more physicians to seek mental healthcare, The Des Moines Register reported Oct. 18.
Iowa joins the list of nearly a dozen states that are evaluating whether some quality-control questions on license applications stigmatize those seeking treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.
"In an effort to reduce any stigma or fear associated with licensees seeking mental health treatment, our team has been involved in a number of conversations over the last year related to questions on licensing applications," the board said in a statement.
The licensing application currently includes questions about medical conditions that may "impair or limit" the ability to practice medicine and participation in treatment or monitoring programs for medical conditions or alcohol or drug use.