From the Journals

Hidden Risk: Clinician Substance Use

Longitudinal Swedish study finds physicians and nurses reporting problem drinking or illicit drug use had about twice the risk of rating their care as poor 1 year later

By
Kerri Miller
March 5, 2026
4 min

Conexiant

1

3,280 health care workers surveyed in Sweden.
2

Higher rates of illicit drug use in physicians.
3

Nurses reported more problem drinking.
4

15.9% rated care quality as poor.
5

Substance use linked to lower self-rated care quality.
6

Study emphasizes nonpunitive approaches for substance issues.
7

Limitations: self-reporting bias, modest response rates.
8

Funded by Afa Insurance, no competing interests reported.

Original Source(s)

Conexiant

Hidden Risk: Clinician Substance Use

Longitudinal Swedish study finds physicians and nurses reporting problem drinking or illicit drug use had about twice the risk of rating their care as poor 1 year later