Occurrence and Prevention of Substance Use Disorder Among Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine Residents in Indonesia: A Pilot Study

Substance use disorders (SUD) in the population of anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine (ICM) residents have the potential to cause fatal occupational risks. Currently, there are no epidemiological reports regarding the prevalence of SUD among doctors in Indonesia and anaesthesiologists in particular. The purpose of this study was to estimate the occurrence of SUD among anaesthesiology and ICM residents in Indonesia and to recognize the SUD prevention strategy implemented in each teaching hospital.

This was a survey-based observational study using a three-part questionnaire consisting of 20 binary questions, which was pertained to the sociodemographic details, the occurrence and prevention of SUD. Participants were recruited from 16 residency programs with a total of 1 127 active residents registered at the Indonesian College of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care. All returned surveys were reviewed and scored by hand. The data were compiled and analyzed with numbers and percentages.

Returned surveys from 353 residents yielded a 31.3% response rate. Residents from 13 out of 16 registered residency programs in Indonesia participated in this survey. The occurrence of SUD among anaesthesiology and ICM residents in Indonesia was 0.5%. As much as 77.3% of respondents never had toxicological screening. Moreover, 18.2% of respondents were not aware of any routine toxicology screening in their program.

The majority of anaesthesiology and ICM residents in Indonesia have risk factors for developing SUD. The need for policies, training, education, and SUD prevention strategies must be immediately addressed.