Use of substances among professionals and students of professional programs: a review of the literature

Kiepek, Niki; Baron, Jonnie-Lyn

doi:10.1080/09687637.2017.1375080

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 132 publications

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“…This is higher than global use of cannabis, which is currently estimated to be around 4% (World Health Organization and WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, 2018). Whilst it remains unclear as to the prevalence of cannabis use in midwifery populations, use of such substances among professionals and students of professional programs is not uncommon (Kiepek and Baron, 2019). Significantly, those who engage in PSU as students may be more likely to continue once they become registered professionals .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic integrative review of the literature on midwives and student midwives engaged in problematic substance use

et al. 2020

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ObjectiveThe objective of this systematic integrative review was to review the literature in relation to problematic substance use (PSU) in midwifery populations. Associated aims were to aggregate existing knowledge about midwives and student midwives' personal engagement in PSU, to generate a holistic conceptualisation and synthesis of existing literature regarding midwives and student midwives personally engaged in PSU and to present new understandings and perspectives to inform the development of future research questions. This review is the first of its kind. Design Systematic searches were conducted in CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, PSYCInfo, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. Findings were grouped into themes and subthemes relating to both midwives and student midwives and then analysed critically in relation to the wider literature. A quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The PRISMA statement was used to guide reporting.Setting Included studies were conducted in Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. ParticipantsStudies included a total of 6,182 participants. Findings A total of 3 studies were included. All included study types comprised quantitative survey designs, yet one also included a mixed methods design with the use of semi structured interviews. Two overarching themes emerged relating to both midwives and student midwives engaged in problematic substance use. For midwives, three subthemes are described: harmful daily alcohol consumption, working hours and harmful daily alcohol consumption and features associated with harmful daily alcohol consumption. For student midwives, two subthemes are presented: escape avoidance and alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use. Key conclusionsThere is limited evidence available in relation to problematic substance use in midwifery populations in comparison to that available for other healthcare populations. Further research is required and could usefully focus upon midwives and student midwives as distinct professions to be separated out from the wider healthcare workforce.Implications for practice Problematic substance use among the healthcare workforce is associated with an increase in medical errors and inadequate care. Those affected can be reluctant to seek help, experience psychological distress and even contemplate suicide. Whilst evidence remains lacking for midwifery populations, they form a part of the general healthcare workforce and are exposed to similar workplace stressors. As such, it is likely that they would be affected in similar ways.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic integrative review of the literature on midwives and student midwives engaged in problematic substance use

et al. 2020

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“…marijuana, cocaine, MDMA) and traditional healing plants (e.g. peyote) (Kiepek and Baron, 2017). Professionals are typically members of profession-specific societies, associations, colleges and/or regulatory bodies, subject to codes of professional ethics or codes of conduct and/or subject to professional licensure or accreditation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With recent legalisation of cannabis in Canada in 2018, professional regulatory bodies are pressed to consider implications for their members. A majority of existing research about substance use by professionals examines the prevalence of use, without examining personal, professional or contextual factors that may relate to patterns of use (Kiepek and Baron, 2017). Qualitative research about the use of substances by professionals predominantly draw participants from addiction service settings or regulatory discipline boards (Kiepek and Baron, 2017), a group likely to have already experienced discernible negative work-related outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A majority of existing research about substance use by professionals examines the prevalence of use, without examining personal, professional or contextual factors that may relate to patterns of use (Kiepek and Baron, 2017). Qualitative research about the use of substances by professionals predominantly draw participants from addiction service settings or regulatory discipline boards (Kiepek and Baron, 2017), a group likely to have already experienced discernible negative work-related outcomes. Those results may not be generalisable to the typical population of professionals who use substances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Substance use by social workers and implications for professional regulation

Kiepek

Harris

Beagan

et al. 2019

Drugs and Alcohol Today

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence and patterns of substance use among Canadian social workers. With legalisation of can professional regulatory bodies are pressed to consider implications of substance use for their members. Design/methodology/approach An online survey collected data about demographics and substance use prevalence and patterns. Statistical analysis involved pairwise comparisons, binary logistic regression models and logistic regression models to explore correlations between substance use and demographic and work-related variables. Findings Among the respondents (n=489), findings indicate that past-year use of cannabis (24.1 per cent), cocaine (4.5 per cent), ecstasy (1.4 per cent), amphetamines (4.3 per cent), hallucinogens (2.4 per cent), opioid pain relievers (21.0 per cent) and alcohol (83.1 per cent) are higher than the general Canadian population. Years of work experience and working night shift were significant predictors of total number of substances used in the past year. Use of a substance by a person when they were a student was highly correlated with use when they were a professional. Research limitations/implications Prevalence of substance use among social workers was found to be higher than the Canadian population; potential due to the anonymous nature of data collection. Originality/value This study has implications for social conceptualisations of professionalism and for decisions regarding professional regulation. Previous literature about substance use by professionals has focussed predominantly on implications for increased surveillance, monitoring, and disciplinary action. We contend that since substance use among professionals tends to be concealed, there may be exacerbated social misconceptions about degree of risk and when it is appropriate to intervene.

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“…This may include learning particular ways of relating to substances. While there appear to be unique patterns of substance use within professions (Kiepek & Baron, 2017), relatively little is known about the processes through which professional contexts influence substance use (Monroe & Kenaga, 2011). This article examines some of the social processes that influence professionals' use of substances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substance Use and Professional Identity

Kiepek

Beagan

2018

Contemporary Drug Problems

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Processes of professional socialization influence types of substances used, patterns of use, and estimation of normalization. This project explores psychoactive substance use among professionals and students in professional programs in Canada, rationales for use, strategies to manage use and potential consequences, and factors within professional education and culture that influence decisions about use. The intent of this study is to uncover social processes through which professional contexts influence substance use. The researchers sought to explore how professionals and professional students described their own decision-making about substance use and their perceptions of professional influences. The mixed methods pilot study involved ecological momentary assessment (EMA), using an app designed for the study, and qualitative interviews. Participants completed a brief survey on the app each time they used a substance during a 4-week period, reporting what substance was used, how much, where, who with, and anticipated or delayed effects. Thirty-four participants were involved in the EMA component, 20 of whom engaged in interviews. The findings suggest a certain amount of substance use is expected, accepted, and even promoted in professional fields. Thematic analysis revealed novel understandings about (i) deliberate decisions, (ii) disclosure and use, (iii) stigmatized substance use, (iv) normative substance use, and (v) the professional context. This study demonstrates potential advantages of undertaking research to explore substance use, as distinct from substance abuse, problematic use, dependence, or addiction. Conceptualizing substance use more broadly can help to identify factors that both encourage use (e.g., performance demands, social norms) and constrain use (e.g., responsibility, role modeling). This can expand approaches to address substance use that look beyond the individual to social and institutional contexts, acknowledging that responsibility is a collective process.

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Use of substances among professionals and students of professional programs: a review of the literature

Cited by 8 publications

References 132 publications

A systematic integrative review of the literature on midwives and student midwives engaged in problematic substance use

A systematic integrative review of the literature on midwives and student midwives engaged in problematic substance use

Substance use by social workers and implications for professional regulation

Substance Use and Professional Identity

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