Substance Use by Internes and Residents : an analysis of personal, social and professional differences

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Abstract
Summary: This paper describes the alcohol and drug use reported by internes and residents in Ontario. The results are part of a larger study related to aspects of “work and well‐being” in this population. Of 1,805 physicians, who responded to a mailed survey, a response rate of 84.2% was obtained. The greatest use of substances were reported by internes and residents in family practice, psychiatry, radiology, anesthesia and obstetrics/ gynecology. There appeared in fact to be particular patterns of drug use in different specialities. Little evidence of polydrug use was found. Tobacco use was strikingly low, and mean alcohol consumption appeared to be similar to the general population. While nearly twice the proportion of internes and residents reported current use of marijuana as compared to the general population, this was not seen when age matched. Cocaine use was no different between these physicians and the aged matched general population. These results do not substantiate reports of excessive use of alcohol or drugs in physicians during their training years.

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