Reasons for Misuse of Prescription Medication Among Physicians Undergoing Monitoring by a Physician Health Program

Abstract

Objectives Substance related impairment of physicians is a small but serious problem, with significant consequences for patient safety and public health. The purpose of the present study was to identify reasons for prescription drug misuse among physicians referred to a physician health program for monitoring due to substance-related impairment, in order to develop better mechanisms of prevention and intervention. Methods A total of 55 physicians (94.5% male) who were being monitored by their State professional health program due to substance-related impairment participated in guided focus group discussions. Participation was anonymous. Discussions were transcribed from nine separate focus groups, lasting 60–90 minutes each. Qualitative analyses were conducted to examine themes. Results All participants were diagnosed with substance dependence, and 69.1% of them endorsed a history of misusing prescription drugs. Participants documented five primary reasons for prescription drug misuse: 1) to manage physical pain, 2) to manage emotional/psychiatric distress, 3) to manage stressful situations, 4) for recreational purposes, and 5) to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Conclusions Our results emphasize the importance of self-medication as a leading reason for misusing prescription medications, though recreational use was also an important factor. Prevention efforts targeting prescription drug misuse among physicians should be initiated during medical training, with continuing education occurring throughout the physicians’ careers.

Prescription medication misuse among opioid dependent patients seeking inpatient detoxification

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Low Dispositional Mindfulness Predicts Self-medication of Negative Emotion With Prescription Opioids

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“…Physicians fulfil a special and very powerful role as health experts and they can self-prescribe and self-treat their conditions (Rosvold et al 1998;Cicala 2003;Wallace et al 2009). Accordingly, physicians were found to be more likely than other members of the general public to have prescription drug use disorders (Merlo et al 2013). Additionally, physicians carry the responsibility for patients' health.…”

“…This means that the study is limited in the sense that it does not direct much attention to the implications of family relations affecting substance use disorders. I leave the analysis of private and personal factors affecting SUD to others (see, for example, (Merlo et al 2013)). There may be a selection bias among the self-selected participants; they may represent a particular kind of physician, who is interested in sharing his/her experiences in order to help colleagues.…”