The opioid epidemic and the current prevalence of substance use disorder in anesthesiologists

Buprenorphine: An anesthesia-centric review

Buprenorphine was synthesized in the 1960s as a result of a search for a safe and effective opioid analgesic. Present formulations of buprenorphine are approved for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain. Its long duration of action, high affinity, and partial agonism at the µ-opioid receptor have established it as a mainstay treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Full agonist opioids (FAOs) remain a primary choice for perioperative pain in both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients despite well-known harms and new emphasis on multimodal analgesia strategies prioritizing nonopioid analgesics. We review the evidence supporting the use of buprenorphine as an effective analgesic alternative to more commonly prescribed FAOs in acute and chronic pain management. For the patient prescribed buprenorphine for OUD, prior conventionalism advised temporary discontinuation of buprenorphine preoperatively; this paradigm has shifted toward continuing buprenorphine throughout the perioperative period. Questions remain whether dose adjustments may improve patient outcomes.

The effects of becoming a physician on prescription drug use and mental health treatment

There is evidence that physicians disproportionately suffer from substance use disorder and mental health problems. It is not clear, however, whether these phenomena are causal. We use data on Dutch medical school applicants to examine the effects of becoming a physician on prescription drug use and the receipt of treatment from a mental health facility. Leveraging variation from lottery outcomes that determine admission into medical schools, we find that becoming a physician increases the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, opioids, and sedatives. Increases in the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sedatives are larger among female physicians than among their male counterparts.

Relapse Prevention and Prediction Strategies in Substance Use Disorder: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Relapse prevention for those with substance use disorder (SUD) is an evolving practice. Initiatives focused on relapse prevention from other populations may provide the foundation for future considerations and recommendations for recovering anesthesia providers in the workplace. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine what is known about return-to-use prediction and prevention strategies in various populations struggling with SUDs to inform future considerations and implications for recovering anesthesia providers with a history of SUD.

METHODS

The Arksey and O'Malley framework was used to conduct a scoping review of the literature. A systematic search was conducted across three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo) for relevant literature. Search terms used were "measures predicting relapse in substance use disorder" and "relapse prevention in substance use disorder AND anesthesia." Data from articles that met the eligibility criteria were extracted and summarized by the primary author.

RESULTS

The search identified 46 articles highlighting various relapse prediction and prevention strategies related to craving and stress, underlying biological factors, neuroimaging, and mindfulness. Relapse prediction and prevention strategies ranged from cell phone applications, monitoring biological markers, and functional neuroimaging of the brain.

CONCLUSIONS

Relapse is a concern for individuals with a history of SUD. For anesthesia providers, immediate access to powerful anesthesia medications requires return-to-use prediction and prevention strategies when anesthesia providers return to work after SUD treatment. Although some identified strategies are practical, more research is needed to predict and prevent return to use for recovering anesthesia providers.

Propofol misuse in medical professions: a scoping review

PURPOSE

We aimed to describe the current literature concerning propofol misuse in medical professionals, specifically relating to the individual demographics of those misusing propofol and the outcomes of propofol misuse.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective scoping review of the literature using a modified PRISMA approach. We used MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases to identify relevant studies based on search terms. Studies describing individual medical professionals misusing propofol were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles describing 88 individual cases of propofol misuse were included for data charting and analysis. Anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists were most commonly identified. Death was a common method of identification of misuse, while rehabilitation and death were common final outcomes associated with propofol misuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite knowledge of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of propofol by those misusing this medication, death was a common outcome reported in the literature. Data related to long-term outcomes including re-entry to clinical practice or success of rehabilitation were limited.

Burnout und Abhängigkeit bei ärztlichem Personal zeitlos und während der COVID-19-Pandemie am Beispiel der Chirurgie und Anästhesie

Hintergrund

Die COVID-19(„coronavirus disease 2019“)-Pandemie wirkt sich auf die psychische Gesundheit und das berufliche Verhalten von Chirurgen und Chirurginnen und Anästhesisten und Anästhesistinnen aus und scheint einen Einfluss auf die Substanzabhängigkeit zu haben.

Fragestellung

Welche Gründe gibt es für das Auftreten einer Substanzabhängigkeit und einem Burnout bei Chirurgen und Chirurginnen und Anästhesisten und Anästhesistinnen zeitlos und während der COVID-19-Pandemie und welche Verbesserungsmaßnahmen könnten im klinischen Alltag helfen?

Material und Methoden

Es wurde eine Literaturrecherche in Form einer systematischen Übersicht („systematic review“) zu Studien und Übersichtsarbeiten durchgeführt, die für das Thema relevant sind.

Ergebnisse

Im Laufe der Jahre hat sich gezeigt, dass Chirurgen bzw. Chirurginnen und Anästhesisten bzw. Anästhesistinnen aufgrund ihres direkten Zugangs zu Medikamenten in der Klinik und der arbeitsbezogenen Stressbelastung zur Drogenabhängigkeit neigen. Insbesondere Chirurgen und Chirurginnen und Anästhesisten und Anästhesistinnen schienen eine erhöhte Neigung zur Suchterkrankungen und ein erhöhtes Burnout-Risiko in der Pandemie vorzuweisen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Präventive Maßnahmen zugunsten besserer Arbeitsbedingungen in der Chirurgie und Anästhesie und eine bessere Drogenkontrolle (nicht nur wegen der Ausgabe, sondern auch wegen der richtigen Drogentests) sowie mehr Therapie- und Wiedereingliederungsprogramme unter psychiatrischer Begleitung und in Zusammenarbeit mit einem multidisziplinären Team sind sinnvoll.

Substance use disorder in the anaesthetist: Guidelines from the Association of Anaesthetists: Guidelines from the Association of Anaesthetists

Anaesthetists have a higher incidence of substance use disorder when compared with other doctors. This might be due to the ease of access to intravenous opioids, propofol, midazolam, inhalational agents and other anaesthetic drugs. Alcohol use disorder continues to be the most common problem. Unfortunately, the first sign that something is amiss might be the anaesthetist's death from an accidental or deliberate overdose. While there are few accurate data, suicide is presumed to be the cause of death in approximately 6-10% of all anaesthetists. If we are to prevent this, substance use disorder must be recognised early, we should ensure the anaesthetist is supported by their department and hospital management and that the anaesthetist engages fully with treatment. Over 75% of anaesthetists return to full practice if they co-operate fully with the required treatment and supervision.

Decline and Pronounced Regional Disparities in Medical Cocaine Usage in the United States

Background: Cocaine is a stimulant and Schedule II drug used as a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor. Objective: This descriptive study characterized medical cocaine use in the United States. Methods: Retail drug distribution data from 2002 to 2017 were extracted for each state from the Drug Enforcement Administration, which reports on medical, research, and analytical chemistry use. The percentage of buyers (pharmacies, hospitals, and providers) was obtained. Use per state, corrected for population, was determined. Available cross-sectional data on cocaine use as reported by the Medicare and Medicaid programs for 2013-2017 and electronic medical records were examined. Results: Medical cocaine use decreased by -62.5% from 2002 to 2017. Hospitals accounted for 84.9% and practitioners for 9.9% of cocaine distribution in 2017. The number of pharmacies carrying cocaine dropped by -69.4%. The percentages of hospitals, practitioners, and pharmacies that carried cocaine in 2017 were 38.4%, 2.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. There was a 7-fold difference in 2002 (South Dakota, 76.1 mg/100 persons; Delaware, 10.1 mg/100 persons). Relative to the average state in 2017, those reporting the highest values (Montana, 20.1; North Dakota, 24.1 mg/100 persons) were significantly elevated. Cocaine use within the Medicare and Medicaid programs was negligible. Cocaine use within the Geisinger system was rare from 2002 to 2007 (<4 orders/100 000 patients per year) but increased to 48.7 in 2018. Conclusion and Relevance: If these pharmacoepidemiological patterns continue, licit cocaine may soon become a historical relic. The pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics education of health care providers may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Risk of mortality and suicide associated with substance use disorder among healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that healthcare professionals may be susceptible to substance use disorders, and among the medical specialties, anaesthesia providers appear to be overrepresented.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the prevalence of substance use-related mortality and suicides between anaesthesia and nonanaesthesia professionals.

DESIGN

Systematic review of observational studies with meta-analyses. We defined anaesthesia providers as any healthcare professionals belonging to the specialty, regardless of age and duration of employment. Other healthcare professionals served as the control group.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, LILACS and ProQuest databases up to March 2020.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies were included, 31 cross-sectional studies involving 13 819 participants and eight cohorts with a total 129 811 participants proved eligible. Results suggested a higher rate of drug-related mortality with odds ratio (OR) 2.69 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.80 to 4.00; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%, P = 0.55; high-certainty evidence] and suicide (OR 2.18, 95% CI, 1.33 to 3.58; P = 0.002; I2 = 0%, P = 0.68; moderate-certainty evidence) for anaesthesia providers compared with other healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSION

High-to-moderate-certainty evidence shows that there is more than a two-fold increased rate of substance use-related mortality and suicide among anaesthesia providers compared with other healthcare professionals. Investigations examining substance abuse between healthcare professionals, with particular attention to working conditions and exposure are essential to further develop preventive strategies.

Postmortem qualitative analysis of psychological, occupational, and environmental factors associated with lethal anesthetic and/or opioid abuse among anesthesiologists: case series

BACKGROUND

Anesthetic and/or opioid abuse is more prevalent among anesthesiologists than in other medical specialties and it has been associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with lethal anesthetic and/or opioid abuse among anesthesiologists.

METHODS

We evaluated psychological factors, and occupational history and circumstances of death of anesthesiologists who died from anesthetic abuse. Data were obtained post-mortem from colleagues, and relatives. After finding eligible cases, we identified the key informants, who were interviewed personally or via email, through the qualitative method known as "Psychological Autopsy".

RESULTS

Eighteen cases of death were identified, but we were able to interview 44% of them (n = 8), most of whom were young males. They died at home or at the hospital and were found "at the scene". Being an introspective person who did not share personal issues at workplace was the most prevalent personal characteristic. At work, they seemed to perform very well their functions, but some presented subtle changes such as to staying more than usual at the workplace and/or neglecting some of their responsibilities. The main reported factors to explain their substance abuse were emotional problems including psychiatric, excessive hours of work, and other health factors.

CONCLUSION

This study identified that emotional disturbances, compulsive work, and general health problems were the more prominent factors involved with those deaths. Further, larger studies are needed to better understand how these factors could be early identified in order to timely prevent anesthetic and/or opioid abuse and several deaths among anesthesiologists.

Substance use disorder in anaesthetists: A personal perspective

In this article, I present a firsthand account as an anaesthetist with substance use disorder who has been through rehabilitation and returned to clinical anaesthesia, followed by an overview of substance use disorder in anaesthesia. Substance use disorder is prevalent within the anaesthesia community and can result in tragic consequences, including death in many cases. The incidence is around one to two per 1000 anaesthetist years and this appears to be rising, perhaps mirroring the population-wide increase in substance use disorder as a result of the opioid epidemic. Recognising substance use disorder in a colleague and intervening to try and help them and protect patients can be immensely challenging. Carrying out a successful intervention requires careful planning and coordination in order to protect the affected individual, their colleagues and patients. Returning to clinical anaesthesia following a diagnosis of substance use disorder is also contentious, with the high abstinence rate (relative to the wider substance use disorder population) having to be balanced against the risk of death following relapse. Any return to practice must be well planned and supported, and include appropriate toxicology screening. With such measures, rehabilitation and a return to clinical anaesthesia is possible in certain cases. For the affected individual regaining, then maintaining, their professional identity can be a powerful motivator to remain abstinent. Drug diversion and substance use disorder in anaesthesia is unlikely ever to be fully preventable, but strategies such as biometric dispensing, analysis of unused drugs, random toxicology and ongoing education may help to keep it to a minimum.

A review of literature on substance abuse among anaesthesia providers

Background

Research has demonstrated that anaesthesia providers are susceptible to substance abuse. Several preventive measures are being implemented in certified registered nurse anaesthetist programmes to educate future providers about substance abuse. Given the continued prevalence and impact of the problem, more research is needed about the prevalence of substance abuse among student registered nurse anaesthetists and the implementation of preventive strategies in the educational setting.

Aims

The purpose of this narrative literature review was to examine the state of the science related to substance abuse among US certified anaesthesia providers. This literature review covered abuse of alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs, opioids and anaesthetic agents.

Methods

This narrative review was conducted using the following search terms: anaesthesia, student, wellness, stress, substance abuse, satisfaction, personality, depression, nurse, nurse anaesthetist, propofol, isoflurane and fentanyl. References were identified using PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists and American Association of Nurse Anesthetists websites. A total of 36 articles were identified as relevant to this literature review based on content and country of publication. This literature review was limited to articles published in the past 15 years. With one exception, our search was limited to manuscripts from the US.

Results

The literature underscored that various risk factors contribute to substance abuse. Board-certified anaesthesia providers fall prey to substance abuse due to ease of access, the high stress associated with administering anaesthesia, and the propensity to become addicted to opioids and other anaesthetics. A gap in the science exists about the prevalence of substance abuse among student registered nurse anaesthetists and the effectiveness of preventive strategies in the educational setting.

Conclusions

Anaesthesia providers are at high risk of abusing substances. To create a safer environment, future research should explore the prevalence of substance abuse among student registered nurse anaesthetists and emphasise the integration of effective preventive strategies in the educational setting.