Alcohol and drug use by surgery residents.
BACKGROUND
Although the use of alcohol and drugs by surgery residents is of concern, no large-scale studies of this specific population exist.


METHODS
A one-page, 36-item questionnaire on frequency of use of alcohol and drugs was administered to residents at the conclusion of the American Board of Surgery In-Service Examination.


RESULTS
The survey showed that the use of drugs by surgery residents is relatively low when compared to drug use by other physicians. However, alcohol abuse continues to be a problem, and alcohol is the drug of choice of most residents. Cocaine used by surgery residents is generally obtained from hospital sources.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the optimistic findings of the survey, the authors advocate the following: Implementation of educational programs to prevent potential abuse of alcohol and drugs, and establishment of tighter controls on cocaine or use of a cocaine substitute for patient care.
Hyde
G L
GL
Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
Wolf
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003042:Cocaine; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D010815:Physician Impairment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D003042:Cocaine