From the monthly archives: "February 2015"

dr-drug-abuseWhat’s the difference between a drug addict and a physician who’s a drug addict? Access. That’s right, while the numbers of substance abusers within the general population and among physicians is roughly the same—around ten percent—doctors are more likely to abuse prescription drugs. Obviously this is a scary notion if the doctor is in charge of life or death situations.

A measure to randomly test physicians was defeated in California last November. Experts believe it was due to an addendum for increasing malpractice policy limits, which opponents argued would increase health care costs for everyone. The plan would have mandated random drug and alcohol testing for physicians, overseen by the state medical board. Physicians could have been tested if they were suspected to be abusing substances or after an unexpected patient death or serious injury. It would have also required physicians to report colleagues to the medical board if they suspected impairment on the job resulting from substance abuse. If doctors tested positive, their medical licenses would be suspended, pending investigation.

Some of the facts revolving around physician drug abuse:

  • Studies estimate that 10 percent to 15 percent of physicians develop a substance-abuse problem in their lifetime
  • In one study*, 69 percent of physician substance abusers had abused prescription drugs—most often narcotic painkillers such as oxycodone (Percocet, Oxycontin) or hydrocodone (Vicodin), but also sedatives and stimulant drugs
  • When physician substance abusers asked why they used drugs, they sometimes admitted to “recreational use.” But more often, they said they were “self-medicating” for physical pain, depression, anxiety or stress in their personal or professional lives
  • One-out-of-three physician substance abusers relapsed following treatment
  • In a 2010 JAMA study, 17 percent of physicians surveyed said they personally and directly knew an impaired or incompetent physician in the prior three years
  • Only 67 percent of physicians who knew of a colleague’s problems reported it to relevant authorities
  • Emergency medicine physicians used more illicit drugs. Psychiatrists used more benzodiazepines. Comparatively, pediatricians had overall low rates of use, as did surgeons, except for tobacco smoking. Anesthesiologists had higher use only for major opiates. Self-reported substance abuse and dependence were at highest levels among psychiatrists and emergency physicians, and lowest among surgeons.
  • Compared to the average person, doctors tend to have more guilt and shame surrounding their addiction

addiction-doctorsSince 2004, random drug testing has been in place for anesthesiology residents at Massachusetts General Hospital, and it appears to be working: During six years before the program was implemented, there were four substance abuse incidents, but not a single one since. Bravo!

To quell fears of police state tactics, it is important to note that punishment is not the purpose of the monitoring—it’s patient safety. With medical mistakes booming, it is important to reduce risk at every corner. It is also to get the physicians much needed help. Most states already have physicians health programs (PHP—*where above study results were gathered) to monitor participants, evaluate needs and direct treatment. A BMJ study in 2008 showed that 65 percent of physicians enrolled in PHPs remained free of substance abuse for five years.

Well I feel for these docs, I do, because I can only imagine the difficulty of kicking a habit when it is readily accessible. It is really too bad that they tried to bundle the malpractice increases within the mandatory testing, because I can see why that made the measure unappealing. Malpractice litigation is already out of control, and raising limits from $250K to $1.1 million, as the measure intended to do would have made it too easy for unscrupulous, greedy lawyers (the next group needing sails deflated) to abuse an already taxed system. Out of control malpractice litigation is one reason unnecessary and costly diagnostic testing has gone overboard. So, again,I can see why voters rejected it. Good move, actually.

But be on the lookout for mandatory testing in your state, because it looks like, despite the failure in California, it’s coming. And that’s a good thing for patients, and the doctors challenged by substance abuse. Patients should not be at risk from a surgeon nodding out during a procedure, and doctors should get the help they need, even if it comes against their will at the time. I am certain they will be relieved when all is said and done.


drug mishaps elderlyA client of mine told me today how he monitors and manages the large number of meds his partner is on. Drugs for blood pressure, HIV, an organ transplant, “high” cholesterol, and a bevy of miscellaneous medications is a lot for any individual to keep a handle on, and unfortunately relying on one’s physician to do so is like putting one’s faith in the government. In fact, it was just this topic—how the partner’s doctor nearly screwed up by ordering potassium when the patient’s potassium was already high—that got us talking about managing one’s meds. My client was infuriated because the doctor was making assumptions regarding an episode of dizziness instead of taking the necessary tests—odd in a culture of diagnostic over-testing, but really, as with any profession, anything can happen.

While I accept the above story with a grain of salt, as I understand that people color facts as they wish the story to be taken; however, I still believe it is wise practice to be the one in control one’s medication schedule, or that of one’s loved ones. So my client provided me with a sample spread sheet he uses that I loved so much I want to share it with you. You can print the picture below, or the link will take you to a downloadable document. You could also just type out your own, using the provided document as a sample.

Sample Drugs List Layout

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By5EJgEDNO35MDJ1d2NneVFjMkU/view?usp=sharing

While I think the document my client put together is outstanding, I do think one column could be added, and that would be adverse drug reactions. My client pointed out that pharmacies keep an eye out for that, I still think taking personal inventory on the matter is wisdom. It does act as a reminder to keep all of one’s prescriptions with the same pharmacy.

Also notice that my client not only lists the medication, but dosages and times of ingestion. This is another way one can help prevent over-ingestion, and thus overdosing. Creating a few more columns with the days of the week, and using hash marks to signify when each drug was taken, or some similar method would also be helpful.

Yes taking medications, particularly loads of them, requires discipline and responsibility. That’s the way it should be. Be smart and use this chart to take control of your or your loved one’s medication schedule. The average American senior is on a litany of drugs, and drug mishaps are all too common. By organizing one’s drug schedule with a system such as this, it is one more step toward safety and accident prevention.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. Nick Campos - All Rights Reserved.