Characteristics and outcomes of doctors in a substance dependence monitoring programme in Canada: prospective descriptive study
2008

Outcomes of Doctors in a Substance Dependence Monitoring Program in Canada

Sample size: 100 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Brewster Joan M, Kaufmann I Michael, Hutchison Sarah, MacWilliam Cynthia

Primary Institution: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Hypothesis

What are the characteristics and outcomes of doctors in a substance dependence monitoring programme in Canada?

Conclusion

Most doctors in the Ontario Physician Health Program for substance dependence were men, and 85% successfully completed the program.

Supporting Evidence

  • 90% of the doctors enrolled were men.
  • 71% of participants had no known relapse during monitoring.
  • 85% of the doctors successfully completed the programme.

Takeaway

This study looked at 100 doctors who were helped to stop using drugs or alcohol, and most of them did really well and finished the program.

Methodology

Prospective descriptive study analyzing the first 100 doctors enrolled in the Ontario Physician Health Program.

Potential Biases

Self-reporting may introduce bias in the data collected.

Limitations

The characteristics of doctors entering the programme could change over time, and self-reported measures may lead to misclassification of outcomes.

Participant Demographics

90% men, mean age 45 years, 66% married or living with a partner.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/bmj.a2098

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