Medical environment and drug abuse among physicians: current state and problems in Korea

ABSTRACT

Currently, the number of reports of propofol abuse in the general population and among physicians has increased, arousing public concerns about drug abuse. It is especially easy for physicians to access various drugs, and thus they are prone to abuse drugs. However, the data on physicians' drug abuse in the Republic of Korea remains insufficient. In this article, we estimated the state of current drug abuse among the Korean general population and the assumed rate and tendency toward drug abuse among physicians based on published data. The current prevalence of drug abuse in Korea is around 4%, and the physicians' rate may not differ from that of the general population. According to the data on drug-related crime in Korea, 1% of such crimes are associated with medical personnel. Opioids are used more frequently by medical personnel than the general population (6.2% vs. 18.1%). Even though drug abuse is commonly related to personality problems and comorbid psychological disorders, social and environmental factors are also important. Burnout problems due to the stresses of a heavy workload in the hospital with sleep deprivation, rapidly expanding medical knowledge, and increasing government regulations are additional important causes of drug abuse among physicians. However, few studies on drug abuse and physician burnout have been performed in Korea. Although the rate of physicians' drug abuse is similar to that in the general population, the prevalence is disturbing because physicians are responsible for the health and well-being of the general population. Therefore, detailed research about physicians' drug abuse and burnout is needed, and proper solutions to prevent and treat drug abuse should be established.