The United States is grappling with the pervasive issue of addiction.
Substance Abuse Among Physicians
In 2022, All Points North (APN), a chain of mind-body health treatments that specialize in mental well-being, addiction treatment, trauma therapy, and improving one’s physical health, published a rather sobering report.Anesthesiologists
Take anesthesiologists, for example. Many who are addicted are typically addicted to potent intravenous opioids like fentanyl and sufentanil. These drugs are often taken from the workplace, sometimes from their patients’ supplies.Several factors contribute to the high prevalence of drug abuse among anesthesiologists, including their proximity to highly addictive substances in the operating room, the ease of diverting these drugs for personal consumption, and the stressful work environment in which they operate.
Surgeons
Except for alcohol and tobacco use, surgeons generally have lower rates of substance abuse. However, addicted surgeons, particularly female surgeons, primarily turn to alcohol for support. As the report notes, 25.6 percent of female surgeons experience alcohol abuse or dependence issues compared to 13.9 percent of male surgeons.ER Doctors
Although they make up only 3 percent of physicians, emergency medicine physicians constitute a significant portion of physicians enrolled in Physician Health Programs for substance abuse management, ranging from 7 percent to 18 percent. Compared to other specialties, emergency medicine physicians were found to have a higher prevalence of illicit drug use, particularly cannabis use.Why Is This Happening?
My intention here is not to criticize doctors, who provide an invaluable service to society. Rather, I aim to highlight that many doctors are suffering and need support.Burnout on the Rise
Like millions of other American workers—41 percent of the working population, to be exact—doctors are experiencing burnout, according to a new MyBioSource survey of over 1,000 employed Americans.Money Goals Are a Factor
Physician burnout is a complex issue influenced by various factors that negatively impact patient care. Financial pressures, corporate influence, and the trend of consolidation in health care are squeezing physicians, hindering their ability to prioritize patients, establish trust, and form relationships.Today, the authors of the TCF report wrote, most hospitals are owned by large national chains, a stark contrast to the 1980s when only 12 percent were. Around 70 percent of physicians are employed by these corporate entities, further exacerbating the challenges faced by health care professionals.
Health care professionals now face greater pressure to meet financial targets and produce results. There is also a growing realization that corporate leaders may opt to replace physicians with other staff members to cut costs, according to TCF.
Burnout’s Toll
Physician burnout not only affects the well-being of physicians but also directly impacts patient care and outcomes. Research suggests that physicians facing burnout are more than twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents as those who are not.Burnout often leads to physicians leaving the profession early, resulting in a significant care access issue. The shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) can result in a decrease in primary care visits and an increase in urgent care, emergency department, and specialty care visits.
What Can Be Done?
Policymakers must intervene to disrupt the pattern of concentrated power and profit-oriented motivations that fuel physician burnout, escalating costs, and subpar results, according to TCF. Redirecting financial incentives toward promoting reliable, dignified, and respectful patient care is imperative.One way to achieve this is by mandating transparency and accountability from every health care institution to enhance health and equity and to clarify financial arrangements supporting health care organizations. This will aid in understanding the system dynamics that exacerbate these overarching issues.