About the Physicians' and Dentists' Confidential Assistance LineThe Physicians' & Dentists' Confidential Assistance Line is a name given to a phone line service for physicians, dentists and their family members who request help with problems of alcoholism, drug dependence or mental illness within their families. When you call the Confidential Line, you reach an answering service that relays the message (name and phone number) to the on-call physician, who then returns the call. Physicians and Dentists staffing the Line are selected because of their experience with alcoholism, drug dependence and mental health and their ability to work with doctors as patients. They speak with the caller and gather enough information to make the best referral to an appropriate consultant. They may also, if appropriate, refer calls from spouses to trained counselors who are also members of the CMA Alliance. Confidentiality
The Physicians' & Dentists' Confidential Line provides counseling for the caller on a completely confidential basis. If the caller is a distressed doctor, assistance takes the form of pre-treatment counseling, referral to an appropriate therapeutic situation, development of a treatment plan, etc. If the caller is concerned about an impaired doctor, counseling/information is given about constructive ways to show concern, how to urge the doctor into a therapeutic relationship, and what resources exist for intervention and referral. This service is completely divorced from any disciplinary action. If a caller wishes to complain about a physician, it is explained that the Medical Board of California (MBC) is the only agency authorized to take action against a physician's license and the caller is referred to the MBC at (800) 633-2322. If it is regarding a complaint about a dentist, the Dental Board of California would be the agency to contact and their telephone number is (916) 263-2335. This project received approval of the CMA Board of Trustees at its meetings February 6-11, 1976,and September 30, 1977. | 
