Physicians' norms and attitudes towards substance use in colleague physicians: A cross-sectional survey in the Netherlands

Abstract

Data Availability Statement: The data of the current survey study are hosted by the Royal Dutch Medical Association. Their policy is not to make the current data publicly available, for two reasons. First, participants did not provide informed consent for data-sharing. Second, the Royal Dutch Medical Association considers data on substance use (disorders) among physicians as sensitive information, that cannot be shared. However, the data used for the current study are available for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data, after approval from the internal Conclusions About one-third of physicians reported experience with a presumption of substance use in a colleague. Whilst most physicians intend to take action upon such a presumption, two-thirds actually do act upon a presumption. To bridge this intention-behavior gap continued medical education on signs and symptoms of SUD and instructions on how to enter a supportive dialogue with a colleague about personal issues, may enhance physicians' knowledge, confidence, and ethical responsibility to act upon a presumption of substance use or other concerns in a colleague.

Barriers and Facilitators to Seek Help for Substance Use Disorder among Dutch Physicians: A Qualitative Study

“…The majority of the facilitators identified in the current study was associated with (open) communication. More specifically, participants mentioned nonjudgmental confrontation with SUD, social support, and external pressure as means to facilitate disclosure of SUD and guiding de Jong/Atsma/Schellekens Eur Addict Res to act upon a substance use in a colleague, only twothirds (65%) actually took action in such case [26]. Therefore, physicians should be trained to recognize signs and symptoms of SUD and learn how to take appropriate action in case of a substance use presumption in a colleague [26].…”

“…and "What would help you to overcome these barriers?" The internal ethical review board of the RDMA reviewed and approved the questionnaire [26].…”

“…Information on medical specialty, years in practice, and working situation was also available for physicians. Medical specialty was divided into 4 categories in line with literature [28]: general practice, (psycho) social medicine, contemplative somatic medicine, and surgical and supportive medicine, as we did previously [26].…”

“…Two qualitative methods were adopted to gather information about barriers and facilitators when seeking help for SUD among physicians: first, 2 open-ended questions about anticipated barriers and facilitators among general physicians were used from an existing online cross-sectional questionnaire (study 1) [26]. Second, semi-structured interviews with physician SUD-patients, significant others, and PHP employees were performed (study 2).…”

“…Study 1: Open-Ended Questions from Existing Questionnaire For a previous study [26], we used closed questions of an online cross-sectional questionnaire about "Addiction in physicians." This questionnaire was administered to the physician panel of the Royal Dutch Medical Association (RDMA) in September 2016.…”