RT Journal
A1 Fromson JA
T1 Surgeon, heal thyself: Comment on “prevalence of alcohol use disorders among american surgeons”
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 2012
FD February 1
VO 147
IS 2
SP 174
OP 174
DO 10.1001/archsurg.2011.1852
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2011.1852
AB 
Surgeons are not immune to alcohol problems. The article by Oreskovich et al1 highlights a problem that has the potential to impair a surgeon's ability to practice with skill and safety. Alcohol use disorders in surgeons are often accompanied by other psychiatric disorders and professional burnout, all potentiating the risk of medical errors. Of particular concern is that the point prevalence for alcohol abuse or dependence in male surgeons was found to be 13.9% and for female surgeons almost double at 25.6%. This critical finding must serve as a catalyst for future investigation as to the cause, effective treatment, and prevention of alcohol use disorders among female and male surgeons.