Alcohol consumption among medical interns in Poland

Introduction: Overconsumption of alcohol is a prob¬ lem that frequently appears among medical students and medical graduates doing their internships. The aim of this study was to assess the problem of alcohol drinking among Polish medical interns.

Material and methods: The data were collected using a cross-sectional design from 245 medical interns (96% response rate) who answered an anonymous questionnaire contains on patterns of alcohol consumption, work-related difficulties and stressors. Four questions were taken from the CAGE test (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener).

Results: Fourteen surveyed subjects were abstainers. Women consumed fewer alcoholic drinks per day than men (p < 0.0001). An alcohol-related blackout in the past month was reported by 15.6% of the res¬ pondents, its frequency being higher among younger subjects, less burdened by medical duties than the older ones. Thirty one percent of men and 18% of women reported drinking more during the internship period than during the medical studies. The CAGE results indicated a high probability of alcohol-related problems in up to 13% of subjects.

Discussion: The consumption of alcohol was self-reported by almost 95% participants, and increased during the internship, mostly in men. The CAGE results suggest that Polish medical interns experience less severe alcohol-related problems than their German colleagues. Gender and a younger age were associated with overconsumption whereas long working hours and the burdens of private life reduce the amount of alcohol consumed.

Conclusions: The study confirmed a risk of excessive consumption of alcohol among Polish medical interns and the need for programmes offering psychological support and helping them in the first months of their professional career.