1. Although it is very difficult to find data after 2005 for addiction
problems among anesthesiologists as well as other medical
personnel, it still does exist. Whenever patients seek treatment,
they search for reviews of doctors and recommendations, as well
as what their credentials and board certifications may be.
However, no mention is ever made of drug testing that is done
among this population.
Boards of medicine do discipline physicians that are reported to
have a drug problem. However, many times a problem only
surfaces when there are very obvious outward signs—sleepiness,
glazed eyes, hyperactive behavior, unclear speech, etc.—or reports
of suspected use. How often are professionals in the medical field
randomly tested for drug use as are many other workers by their employers? Also, many physicians
are the employers and of course are not randomly tested for the use of opioids.
It is documented that anesthesiologists, as well as any physician, may suffer from addiction to any
number of substances, but addiction to opioids is the most common. In the 2005 data, it is noted
that the drug of choice for anesthesiologists entering treatment was an opioid, with fentanyl and
sufentanil at the top of the list. Use of these drugs impairs clarity of the thought and decision
making process.
The factors contributing to the high incidence of drug abuse among this population includes the
proximity to large quantities of highly addictive drugs, as well as the ease with which they can be
diverted for personal use. There are cases where anesthesiologists have diverted fentanyl for their
own use, thus depriving patients of the medication they need.
Boards of medicine should not be waiting to receive complaints about doctors, but there should be
an active campaign for random testing among this population. Why is there no data after 2005?
This problem has not magically disappeared, but rather is being ignored. Something needs to be
done about this silent problem that could be depriving unsuspecting patients of the drugs they need
as well as costing them their lives.
Addiction in medical field…