TY - JOUR
T1 - Opinions towards Medical Students’ Self-Care and Substance Use Dilemmas—A Future Concern despite a Positive Generational Effect?
AU - McGurgan, Paul
AU - Calvert, Katrina
AU - Nathan, Elizabeth
AU - Celenza, Antonio
AU - Jorm, Christine
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.
PY - 2022/10
Y1 - 2022/10
N2 - This study examines demographic factors which may influence opinions concerning medical students’ self-care and substance use behaviours as a means of providing insights into how future doctors view these issues compared to Australian doctors and members of the public. We conducted national, multicentre, prospective, on-line cross-sectional surveys using hypothetical scenarios to three cohorts- Australian medical students, medical doctors, and the public. Participants’ responses were compared for the different contextual variables within the scenarios and the participants’ demographic characteristics. In total 2602 medical students, 809 doctors and 503 members of the public participated. Compared with doctors and the public, medical students were least tolerant of alcohol intoxication, and most tolerant of using stimulants to assist with study, and cannabis for anxiety. Doctor respondents more often aligned with the public’s opinions on the acceptability of the medical students’ behaviours. Although opinions are not equivalent to behaviour, Australian students’ views on the acceptability for cannabis to help manage anxiety, and inappropriate use of prescription-only drugs are concerning; these future doctors will be responsible for prescribing drugs and managing patients with substance abuse problems. However, if current Australian medical student’s opinions on alcohol misuse persist, one of the commonest substance addictions amongst doctors may decrease in future.
AB - This study examines demographic factors which may influence opinions concerning medical students’ self-care and substance use behaviours as a means of providing insights into how future doctors view these issues compared to Australian doctors and members of the public. We conducted national, multicentre, prospective, on-line cross-sectional surveys using hypothetical scenarios to three cohorts- Australian medical students, medical doctors, and the public. Participants’ responses were compared for the different contextual variables within the scenarios and the participants’ demographic characteristics. In total 2602 medical students, 809 doctors and 503 members of the public participated. Compared with doctors and the public, medical students were least tolerant of alcohol intoxication, and most tolerant of using stimulants to assist with study, and cannabis for anxiety. Doctor respondents more often aligned with the public’s opinions on the acceptability of the medical students’ behaviours. Although opinions are not equivalent to behaviour, Australian students’ views on the acceptability for cannabis to help manage anxiety, and inappropriate use of prescription-only drugs are concerning; these future doctors will be responsible for prescribing drugs and managing patients with substance abuse problems. However, if current Australian medical student’s opinions on alcohol misuse persist, one of the commonest substance addictions amongst doctors may decrease in future.
KW - doctors
KW - drug/alcohol misuse
KW - medical students
KW - public
KW - self-care
KW - stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85140770271&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph192013289
DO - 10.3390/ijerph192013289
M3 - Article
C2 - 36293870
AN - SCOPUS:85140770271
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 19
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 20
M1 - 13289
ER -