Self-reported alcohol consumption in doctors. 2020

E Savage, and L Sowole, and S Shah, and Z Mirza, and C Cotzias
Department of Postgraduate Education, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, UK.

BACKGROUND The UK government has prioritized reducing the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption on mental and physical well-being. OBJECTIVE To assess self-reported alcohol consumption amongst doctors at an acute London Trust. METHODS An opportunistic, anonymous, survey was conducted by Postgraduate Education Fellows over 2 weeks in December 2018. This included all grades of doctors from Foundation Year One to Consultant. The survey consisted of nine questions, modified from the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and CAGE questionnaire. RESULTS Of 446 doctors within our institution, 109 completed the survey (24%). Fourteen per cent of those surveyed abstained from alcohol, 21% drank monthly or less, 31% drank between two to four times per month, 25% drank two to three times per week and 9% drank greater than four times per week. In the preceding 2 years, 9% reported being unable to do what was expected of them on at least one occasion due to alcohol. Five per cent were concerned about alcohol affecting their performance. Two per cent were annoyed by criticism of their drinking, 9% felt guilty about drinking and 4% needed an eye-opener. Eighteen per cent wanted to reduce their alcohol consumption; however, 43% of the 109 doctors surveyed were uncertain where to seek help. CONCLUSIONS Twenty per cent of surveyed doctors reported consuming potentially hazardous levels of alcohol and 18% of respondents wanted to cut down. Forty-three per cent were unaware of sources of support. Our findings suggest a role for collaboration between Occupational Health departments and Postgraduate Education teams to support doctors misusing alcohol.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008131 London The capital of the United Kingdom. It is located in England.
D010815 Physician Impairment The physician's inability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to the patient due to the physician's disability. Common causes include alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, physical disability, and senility. Impairment, Physician,Impairments, Physician,Physician Impairments
D010820 Physicians Individuals licensed to practice medicine. Physician
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000428 Alcohol Drinking Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking. Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol
D057566 Self Report Method for obtaining information through verbal responses, written or oral, from subjects. Report, Self,Reports, Self,Self Reports
D019973 Alcohol-Related Disorders Disorders related to or resulting from abuse or misuse of alcohol. Alcohol Problem,Alcohol Problems,Alcohol Related Disorders,Alcohol-Related Disorder,Disorder, Alcohol-Related

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