Substance abuse among healthcare providers is a serious issue affecting patient care and patient outcomes. Substance abuse among anesthesia providers is of extreme concern because of the type of drugs and easy access providers are granted. Impaired anesthesia providers jeopardize not only their own safety but also the safety of their patients. Accidental death of either the healthcare provider or the patient is often the unfortunate first sign of addiction among anesthesia providers. Most states, in the United States offer treatment programs for anesthesia providers as an option to disciplinary action, and on completion of the program, the provider is allowed to reenter practice. Successful reentry is sometimes rare, and providers are plagued with the stigma of abuse, shame, and a high incidence of relapse. This article is an analysis of the concept of reentry into anesthesia practice, using Walker and Avant's model of concept analysis. Tenets of successful reentry are discussed. Implications for further concept analysis, practice, and research are presented.
