title: Prevalence of alcohol use disorders among American surgeons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the point prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence among practicing surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study with data gathered through a 2010 survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  The United States of America.
  
  
  METHODS
  Members of the American College of Surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alcohol abuse and dependence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 25,073 surgeons sampled, 7197 (28.7%) completed the survey. Of these, 1112 (15.4%) had a score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, version C, consistent with alcohol abuse or dependence. The point prevalence for alcohol abuse or dependence for male surgeons was 13.9% and for female surgeons was 25.6%. Surgeons reporting a major medical error in the previous 3 months were more likely to have alcohol abuse or dependence (odds ratio, 1.45; P < .001). Surgeons who were burned out (odds ratio, 1.25; P = .01) and depressed (odds ratio, 1.48; P < .001) were more likely to have alcohol abuse or dependence. The emotional exhaustion and depersonalization domains of burnout were strongly associated with alcohol abuse or dependence. Male sex, having children, and working for the Department of Veterans Affairs were associated with a lower likelihood of alcohol abuse or dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol abuse and dependence is a significant problem in US surgeons. Organizational approaches for the early identification of problematic alcohol consumption followed by intervention and treatment where indicated should be strongly supported.
authors.affiliation: American College of Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois, USA. moreskov@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Oreskovich
authors.forename: Krista L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kaups
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Balch
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hanks
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Satele
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buhl
authors.forename: Lotte N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Dyrbye
authors.forename: Tait D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Shanafelt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology