[Alcohol consumption in medical community]

Alcohol consumption by physicians is an important issue for health systems due to its possible impacts on health workforce and quality of care. The aim of this narrative review of the literature was to analyze the prevalence, risk factors, detection and care of hazardous alcohol consumption by physicians and medical students. The prevalence of risky alcohol use among physicians is higher than the overall population. Factors associated to higher risk are being a male, age, burnout components and personality characteristics like neuroticism, extroversion and alexithymia. Detection and care of physicians with risky alcohol use is complex. There is no organized screening for risky drinking. Furthermore, physicians tend to specifically neglect their health and do not easily consult their colleagues. It appears appropriate to set up a prevention strategy for physicians and medical students, as well as to develop support structures.