| Factors associated with psychiatric morbidity and hazardous alcohol use in Australian doctors. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20678045 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with psychiatric morbidity and hazardous alcohol use in Australian doctors. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional postal survey of 2999 doctors (including all major specialty groups, trainees and general practitioners) insured with an Australian medical insurance company. The potential for psychiatric morbidity was measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and the potential for hazardous alcohol use by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The survey was conducted in 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, work-related and personality factors associated with a GHQ score > 4 and an AUDIT score > or = 8. RESULTS: Factors significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity in doctors were: having a current medicolegal matter, not taking a holiday in the previous year, working long hours, type of specialty, and having personality traits of neuroticism and introversion. Factors significantly associated with potentially hazardous alcohol use were being male, being Australian-trained, being between 40 and 49 years of age, having personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion, failing to meet Continuing Medical Education requirements, and being a solo practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health of medical practitioners is crucial to the quality of care their patients receive. Doctors should reflect on their hours of work and need for holidays. Involvement with medicolegal processes, such as lawsuits, complaints and inquiries, is a stressful part of medical practice today. Doctors need to be educated about these processes and understand how the experience may affect their health, work and loved ones. |
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Authors:
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Louise M Nash; Michele G Daly; Patrick J Kelly; Elizabeth H van Ekert; Garry Walter; Merrilyn Walton; Simon M Willcock; Chris C Tennant |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Medical journal of Australia Volume: 193 ISSN: 0025-729X ISO Abbreviation: Med. J. Aust. Publication Date: 2010 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-08-03 Completed Date: 2010-09-28 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0400714 Medline TA: Med J Aust Country: Australia |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 161-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia. louise.nash@nswiop.nsw.edu.au |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Age Factors Alcohol Drinking / trends* Australia / epidemiology Cross-Sectional Studies Education, Medical, Continuing Female Humans Male Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence Medicine Mental Disorders / epidemiology, etiology* Middle Aged Personality Physicians* Professional Practice Questionnaires Workload |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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