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Just curious if there is anything out there on addiction rates among anesthesiologists and risk factors for addiction (ie personality types, past drug abuse)?
Just curious if there is anything out there on addiction rates among anesthesiologists and risk factors for addiction (ie personality types, past drug abuse)?
Just curious if there is anything out there on addiction rates among anesthesiologists and risk factors for addiction (ie personality types, past drug abuse)?
Those who need to ask are at high risk.
Agree.I would disagree. I think it's a legitimate concern and worth paying attention to. I think those who think it doesn't pertain to them and pretend it doesn't exist are at higher risk.
Just curious if there is anything out there on addiction rates among anesthesiologists and risk factors for addiction (ie personality types, past drug abuse)?
Do residency programs ask about past drug abuse in the selection process? Are there any personality tests that correlate with the probability that a future anesthesiologist is more prone to abuse the medications they have access to?
Just curious if there is anything out there on addiction rates among anesthesiologists and risk factors for addiction (ie personality types, past drug abuse)?
TheSeanieB said:Sorry I was actually refering to the risk that an anesthesiologist will self medicate. I'm doing research for our club at school and was hoping to find some good information to present.
TheSeanieB said:Do residency programs ask about past drug abuse in the selection process? Are there any personality tests that correlate with the probability that a future anesthesiologist is more prone to abuse the medications they have access to?
None that I'm aware of, but my state medical board sure did, even though I was only applying for my limited license.Do residency programs ask about past drug abuse in the selection process?
Ah, if only there was a way we could do this, we'd save a lot of lives (and livelihoods too).Are there any personality tests that correlate with the probability that a future anesthesiologist is more prone to abuse the medications they have access to?
I agree with you completely.pgg said:My opinion is that if you have a history of illicit drug abuse, do NOT choose anesthesia. Pick another specialty where you won't have a dozen vials of fentanyl passing through your hands EVERY DAY with nobody watching you. There are lots of rewarding and fulfilling specialties that don't involve carrying around syringes with blue stickers on them.
Anesthesia is a stressful field, residency sucks hard sometimes, people will be mean to you, the hours are long ... If you're a recovering addict, your brain is physically different, your risk/benefit calculus is forever changed.
I think most anesthesiologists or CRNAs who divert should not return to practicing anesthesia - not as punishment, or even public protection - but because the relapse risk is high, and their health and lives are at really, really high risk.
I know a lot of people will disagree with me, will say that return to supervised practice is safe, and a good thing because it encourages addicts to seek help prior to dying or being caught. There's merit to that point of view.
I'm not talking about people who smoke or smoke a little pot here or there, or who were binge drinkers with their frat buddies in college. Hard illicit drug use in the past should be a huge red flag and give pause to anyone considering anesthesia as a career, IMHO.
I think most anesthesiologists or CRNAs who divert should not return to practicing anesthesia - not as punishment, or even public protection - but because the relapse risk is high, and their health and lives are at really, really high risk.