Physicians working under the influence of alcohol: An analysis of past disciplinary proceedings and their outcomes

Sendler, Damian Jacob

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.01.019

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…None of the studies directly looked at the effects of misuse on care. However, a study on doctors working under the influence of alcohol found up to one in 10 patients treated were potentially harmed (Sendler, 2018), so this area needs investigation.…”

Section: Supporting Staff and Protecting Patientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol/substance use and occupational/post-traumatic stress in paramedics

Hichisson

Corkery

2020

Journal of Paramedic Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Paramedics work in high-pressure environments and experience traumatic events, which contribute to high levels of occupational and post-traumatic stress. Such stress can result in alcohol and substance misuse in other health professionals, but this relationship has not been examined in paramedics. This review is the first exploration of the literature on this. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, with databases searched using terms relevant to paramedics and alcohol/substance use. Studies were analysed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative information. Findings: Eleven studies were identified. Nine studies examined alcohol use; seven examined substance use; five examined both. Alcohol and smoking may be linked to occupational stress. Conclusions: The nature and extent of alcohol and substance use in relation to occupational and post-traumatic stress among paramedics need further investigation to facilitate advice and support.

show abstract

Section: Supporting Staff and Protecting Patientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol/substance use and occupational/post-traumatic stress in paramedics

Hichisson

Corkery

2020

Journal of Paramedic Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…+ There were 19 missings on the intended approach. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Significantly different percentages are printed with corresponding number of the different characteristic.…”

Section: Intended Approach (N = 1685) +mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SUD is associated with personal harm, but may also contribute to physician impairment; thus influencing quality of health care [1,2]. Substance use or SUD has been shown to contribute to impairment in 20-40% of these cases [3][4][5], with consequences as mistakes in diagnosis and medical procedures, or problematic communication skills [6,7]. Several studies provide additional evidence for self-reported work-related effects of substance use or SUD [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physicians' norms and attitudes towards substance use in colleague physicians: A cross-sectional survey in the Netherlands

Geuijen

Rond²,

Kuppens³

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Data Availability Statement: The data of the current survey study are hosted by the Royal Dutch Medical Association. Their policy is not to make the current data publicly available, for two reasons. First, participants did not provide informed consent for data-sharing. Second, the Royal Dutch Medical Association considers data on substance use (disorders) among physicians as sensitive information, that cannot be shared. However, the data used for the current study are available for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data, after approval from the internal Conclusions About one-third of physicians reported experience with a presumption of substance use in a colleague. Whilst most physicians intend to take action upon such a presumption, two-thirds actually do act upon a presumption. To bridge this intention-behavior gap continued medical education on signs and symptoms of SUD and instructions on how to enter a supportive dialogue with a colleague about personal issues, may enhance physicians' knowledge, confidence, and ethical responsibility to act upon a presumption of substance use or other concerns in a colleague.

show abstract

“…However, SUDs often cause tremendous personal harm and might also impair physicians' general functioning [10]. Consequently, SUD among physicians might affect quality of healthcare and patient safety, with studies suggesting mistakes in diagnosis and medical procedures, or problematic communication with patients as potential consequences in clinical practice [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Facilitators to Seek Help for Substance Use Disorder among Dutch Physicians: A Qualitative Study

Geuijen

Pars

Kuppens³

et al. 2021

Eur Addict Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Substance use disorders (SUDs) among physicians affect their health, quality of life, but potentially also their quality of care. Despite the availability of effective specific Physician Health Programs (PHPs), physicians with SUD often experience barriers when seeking professional help. Therefore, we studied barriers and facilitators when seeking help for SUD among physicians from a multiple perspective approach. Methods: A qualitative design was adopted for 2 sub-studies. First, answers of 2 open-ended questions (about anticipated barriers and facilitators) of an existing questionnaire were analyzed. This questionnaire was filled out by 1,685 general physicians (response rate = 47%). The answers of these open-ended questions were coded inductively. Second, 21 semi-structured interviews (about experienced barriers and facilitators) were performed with physician SUD-patients, significant others, and PHP employees. Themes identified in the first sub-study were used to deductively code the interview transcripts. Results were reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Results: Barriers were found at the level of the individual physician (negative feelings and lack of disease awareness), whereas facilitators were found at the level of social relationships (confrontation with SUD and social support) and health services (supportive approach, good accessibility, and positive image of services). The interviews emphasized the importance of nonjudgmental confrontation by social relationships in the process of seeking help for SUD. Conclusion: Physicians with SUD face barriers when seeking help for SUD mostly at the level of the individual physician. Health services and people around physicians with SUD could facilitate the help-seeking process by offering confidential and nonpunitive support. Future studies should explore whether the barriers and facilitators identified in this study also hold for other mental health issues.

show abstract

Physicians working under the influence of alcohol: An analysis of past disciplinary proceedings and their outcomes

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Alcohol/substance use and occupational/post-traumatic stress in paramedics

Alcohol/substance use and occupational/post-traumatic stress in paramedics

Physicians' norms and attitudes towards substance use in colleague physicians: A cross-sectional survey in the Netherlands

Barriers and Facilitators to Seek Help for Substance Use Disorder among Dutch Physicians: A Qualitative Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About