Lead Story: Physician Health Care Visits for Mental Health and Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada

Lead Story: Physician Health Care Visits for Mental Health and Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a whirlwind for everyone, but have you ever wondered how it's affected those on the front lines? In this episode of 'Addiction Medicine Unpacked,' host Claire Rasmussen brings us eye-opening findings from a study of over 34,000 physicians in Ontario, Canada. The study reveals a 13% increase in outpatient visits for mental health and substance use among doctors during the first year of the pandemic compared to the previous year.

It's a stark reminder of the immense pressure and stress our healthcare heroes face. But that's not all this episode covers. You'll also hear about a Norwegian study examining smoking rates and cessation efforts among patients treated for opioid and other substance use disorders. Plus, there's fascinating research on how mindfulness meditation can impact opioid misuse and the intriguing role of gut microbiota in alcohol use disorder.

If you're curious about barriers to buprenorphine waivers in opioid use disorder treatment or the challenges faced by underrepresented patient subgroups in clinical trials, this episode has you covered. It even touches on alcohol use in older adults and patient-centered care for intravenous antibiotic treatment in people who inject drugs. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone interested in addiction medicine or the well-being of our healthcare providers.

Tune in to get a comprehensive look at how the pandemic has reshaped mental health and substance use among physicians, along with other critical topics in the field.