More than 300 years (after the false accusations of the Salem witch trials), physicians who stand out from the crowd (e.g., innovators, physician whistleblowers, successful competitors) or who fail to conform to official government narratives often face mandatory referrals for psychiatric (psych) or neuropsychological (neuropsych) testing imposed by hospitals, medical boards, and physician health programs (PHPs). These referrals fall under the general category of Fitness for Duty Evaluations (FFDE). Hearsay, rumor, and suspicion are often all that is needed to force physicians to undergo psych and neuropsych testing.
Referrals for psych and neuropsych testing are sometimes made for the purpose of stigmatizing the physician, damaging the physician’s reputation, and harming the physician’s psyche. No objective evidence is provided to support the referral, and the required testing is done for reasons other than quality care and patient safety.