Mindfulness and Compassion as Antidotes to Physician Addiction

Patricia Lynn Dobkin

doi:10.26443/ijwpc.v6i2.202

Abstract

Addiction, broadly defined, is common in healthcare settings. A person can be addicted to substances, junk food, work, power, money, using mobile devices, and so on. The problem is generally ignored until dire consequences occur (e.g. a critical mistake is made, or the clinician acts in an unprofessional manner). Once identified, addicted physicians are usually referred to Physician Health Programs i.e. sent elsewhere to deal with their presumed personal issues. A Buddhist view of addiction differs from Western psychology and psychiatry in that it examines compulsive behaviours in the light of ‘common humanity.’ Craving is seen to be the cause of (all) suffering. Obsessions (about the desired object) occur in the mind; this then triggers compulsive acts. And thus, treatment includes examining how the mind works, how it influences behaviours, and how it can be used to heal suffering.

Highlights

Physician impairment has been associated with substance abuse
Mindfulness and compassion as antidotes to physician addiction Patricia Dobkin in healthcare systems to offer compassion as an antidote to people/colleagues who suffer deeply due to this problem
As is evident in the narrative written by Dr Grinspoon [2] “Back from the Abyss: A Recovered Doctor’s View of the Opioid Epidemic,” medicating stress and emotional pain with opiates failed to bring him genuine relief, but it cost him dearly

Summary

Introduction

Physician impairment has been associated with substance abuse. More recently, burnout and depression have been considered important manifestations of impairment [1]. The 3rd International Congress on Whole Person Care taking place in Montreal in October 2019 will address: Compassion, Addiction and Culture Change. Mindfulness and compassion as antidotes to physician addiction Patricia Dobkin in healthcare systems to offer compassion as an antidote to people/colleagues who suffer deeply due to this problem.

Results

Conclusion