Does drinking, substance use affect patient care?

Excessive drinking and illicit substance use among physicians and nurses could impact the quality of care they deliver to patients.

In a study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, investigators evaluated the self-rated quality of care among a group of nearly 3,300 health care providers who completed the Longitudinal Occupational Health Survey in Healthcare Sweden — which included questions regarding their problem drinking and illicit substance use.

The investigators noted that physicians had a higher prevalence of illicit substance use but a lower prevalence of problem drinking compared with nurses. Male respondents had a greater prevalence of both illicit substance use and problem drinking compared with female respondents. The investigators found that the physicians and nurses who had problem drinking or used illicit substances were more likely to report lower quality of care.

As a result of the findings, the investigators highlighted the critical need for nonpunitive interventions designed to provide avenues for seeking help and prevent reductions in the quality of patient care, including physician health programs, peer assistance initiatives and workplace-based early support systems.

Read more: International Journal of Nursing Studies

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