Fifteen percent of surgeons suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence, according to a study in the February Archives of Surgery. Through an online, anonymous poll, respondents revealed that surgeons cited higher rates of alcohol abuse, compared to 8 percent to 12 percent among the public, according to U.S. News & World Report’s HealthDay.

Surgeons who were burned out and depressed were more likely to have alcohol abuse or dependence, the study states. Surgeons who said they had made a major medical mistake during the previous three months also were more likely to be struggling with alcohol abuse or dependence, HealthDay noted.

However, the survey “may not accurately reflect the true incidence of alcoholism among surgeons,” the authors warned. They cautioned that this study was limited, in that only 29 percent of people responded to the poll, according to medpage Today. The authors also noted that they don’t know if those with alcohol abuse or dependence are more or less likely to answer surveys.

Read article: http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/study-15-surgeons-abuse-alcohol/2012-02-22

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