Assessing Burnout and Alcohol Use in Medical Students and Practicing Physicians

Medical student and physician burnout and a related alcohol use disorder are significant personal problems that also impact patient care. Problems start in medical school with a rate of burnout rising to 50%, suicidal ideation estimated at 10%, and alcohol use estimated at 32.4%. In practicing physicians. AUDIT-C scores of 15.3% correlate with burnout and were especially high in women (21.4%). The presentation provides skills to identify and intervene in colleagues with the lethal combination of burnout and alcohol use. Through case studies, audience involvement, and “what if” role-play simulations, participants build an understanding of the causes of burnout, useful interventions, and the potential impact on medical students, residents, practicing physicians, and patients.

Reference: Tanner B. Assessing Burnout and Alcohol Use in Medical Students and Practicing Physicians. Presented at the 2019 ASAM Annual Conference, April 6, 2019, Orlando, FL.

More info on the authors: Brad Tanner