Study: 15% Of Surgeons Abuse Alcohol

Nutzo Doctors, according to the APA: Incurable for consumers who don't have a trade union lobbied Diversion program.

Look up Intoxication.

http://www.behavenet.com

All it takes is 2 drinks. Gone, Incurably 'Mentally Ill' because that drinker could have a relapse, and Every Psychiatrist is 100% Incompetent to Prevent it/Cure them. But alcohol abuse is another story if you've bought a medical work license and the AMA is standing behind you. Yes, This AMA:

Is The AMA Covering Up Medicare Fraud?

FierceHealthcare has;

Study: 15% of surgeons abuse alcohol

February 22, 2012 — 5:52am ET | By Karen M. Cheung

Fifteen percent of surgeons suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence, according to a study in the February Archives of Surgery. Through an online, anonymous poll, respondents revealed that surgeons cited higher rates of alcohol abuse, compared to 8 percent to 12 percent among the public, according to U.S. News & World Report's HealthDay.

Surgeons who were burned out and depressed were more likely to have alcohol abuse or dependence, the study states. Surgeons who said they had made a major medical mistake during the previous three months also were more likely to be struggling with alcohol abuse or dependence, HealthDay noted.

However, the survey "may not accurately reflect the true incidence of alcoholism among surgeons," the authors warned. They cautioned that this study was limited, in that only 29 percent of people responded to the poll, according to medpage Today. The authors also noted that they don't know if those with alcohol abuse or dependence are more or less likely to answer surveys.

And although surgeons might report higher alcohol abuse than the general public, the study didn't offer correlation between the prevalence of alcohol abuse and medical errors.

"The chance of a patient being injured by an impaired surgeon is really very uncommon. Something like one in 10,000. So it just doesn't happen very much," lead study author Michael Oreskovich, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle, told HealthDay. He did, however, note that although other safety-sensitive professions use random drug screenings, surgeons do not.

Advocates for impaired physicians champion the study as an important first step.

"The most important thing here is to note that physicians are not immune from these kinds of problems," said John Fromson, a codirector of postgraduate medical education at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, who wrote an editorial on study. "I don't think patients and their families need to be alarmed. But the reality is that the more we talk about it, the greater the chances of recognizing the factors and stressors that contribute to it among those who need help."

For more information:
- read the HealthDay article
- check out the study abstract
- read the medpage Today article
- here's the Fromson editorial (subscription required)

Related Articles:
How to handle aging physicians
Safety comes with surgeons' age
Addicted surgeons, non-surgeons equally likely to return to practice
Study: Even 24 hours later, surgeons who drink more prone to mistakes
Many physicians don't want to rat on each other

Thank You FierceHealthcare and Ms Cheung

But you see, These Alcohol Abusers are Special Alcohol Abusers, because they Bought Protection that certifies that They are Brighter and more Competent than Non Doctors. They're So much Brighter than Non Doctors that, oh well, .....

Drunken, Hung Over Physicians In Surgery

"Historically, the medical profession has had a reputation for high rates of alcohol consumption," wrote the researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. "It is likely that surgeons are unaware (???) that next-day surgical performance may be compromised as a result of significant alcohol intake."

Newsweek (2008) has:

When Doctors Kill Themselves.

"So why aren't depressed docs seeking treatment for a common illness that millions of Americans have learned to manage with therapy and readily available medications? Because they worry—not without reason—that if they admit to a mental-health problem they could lose respect, referrals, income and even their licenses." .....

"One way to address physician suicide, says Reynolds, is to focus on medical students and residents, since depression often starts in young adulthood. Medical schools across the country have launched programs that, among other things, guarantee students who seek help that it will not appear on their records. , .....

....., "If we teach doctors to recognize depression in themselves," says Dr. Paula Clayton, the foundation's medical director, "they will recognize it in their patients." And then everybody will feel better."

As of 2008 Dr Paula Clayton was the Medical Director of the above, Newsweek mentioned:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Another PHARMA STORE FRONT