Monday 19 August 2013

Surgeons and illicit drug use

A recent paper in BMC Medicine [Franke et al. BMC Medicine 2013, 11:102] indicates that German surgeons use illicit and prescription drugs for both cognitive enhancement and mood enhancement. The researchers used two different methods, but overall the prevalence is estimated between 15-20%. The research didn’t have a satisfactory response rate (36.4%), but the fact that nearly 1 out 5 surgeons are using drugs in this way is a cause of concern. The survey looked a list of factors that influence such use, and pressure to perform at work, pressure in perform in private life and gross income were positively related to drug use. Interestingly the following factors were not associated with drug use; gender, age, family status, living with children, type of employer, employment status, hours of work, satisfaction with professional success, and evaluation of career opportunities. The authors of the research don’t mention it, but one is left wondering; (1) how did the surgeons ‘learn’ that such behaviour is appropriate/acceptable, and (2) what lessons such behaviour teaches future generations of surgeons. However, it’s too simple to lay the blame on the surgeons, and we must appreciate the way that patient expectations and public expectations about zero errors contributes to a performance culture which has its roots in medical education. 

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