Dual diagnosis in inpatient physicians: prevalence and clinical characteristics

Abstract

Background: Despite evidence of dual diagnosis (DD) in impaired physicians, few studies have investigated its prevalence and clinical characteristics.

Aims: To assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DD in a sample of inpatient physicians and to compare physician patients with DD to other inpatient physicians.

Methods: A chart review of clinical and demographic data was conducted on 290 consecutive admissions to the inpatient unit of the Integrated Care Programme for Physicians in Barcelona from January 1999 to August 2005.

Results: 60 (20.6%) patients had DD, with the most common form of co-occurring disorders being alcohol dependence with mood disorder (46.4%). DD patients were more likely to be male. DD patients were more similar to patients with substance use disorders with regards to demographic variables and antisocial personality traits, but were more similar to patients with only a psychiatric disorder concerning severity and avoidant traits.

Conclusions: DD is a major cause of impairment in physicians and is associated with particular clinical and demographic characteristics. DD in physicians deserves attention to improve early detection, prevention and treatment strategies.

Keywords:

• impaired physician
• dual diagnosis
• psychiatric comorbidity
• co-occurring disorders

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the medical, nursing and administrative staff of PAIMM for their active input to the project steering group and to Ira Potashner, M.A., CRADC for help with writing and technical editing of this article.

We acknowledge funding from the Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona. This financial relationship poses no conflict of interest.