The issue of substance abuse (use) in medical professionals has been explored for decades, especially in the western countries because its adverse consequences might danger quality of patient cares and health professional health. This study is aimed to explore the prevalence of substance uses of medical professionals in Taiwan. The specific purposes include: 1. Systematically review the international literatures to understand the prevalence of substance abuse (use) for medical professionals and the relevant risk factors; 2. Investigate the substance uses of practicing medical physicians (including dentists) in Taiwan and the related risk factors; and 3. Propose the models and strategies of substance uses of medical professionals for prevention. This is a cross-sectional study with the structured self-report questionnaires as study instruments. Conveniently sampled 2,500 practicing medical physicians (including dentists) will be the targets. Focus groups, surveys and expert panel will be conducted in this study. The findings will be beneficial on the knowledge of substance uses of medical professionals from the academic perspectives, and propose risk models of substance uses and derived prevention strategies from managerial and health policy perspectives.
