Alcohol problems and depression: A 15-year longitudinal, nationwide study of mental health among Norwegian doctors.

Background: Concurrent depressive disorder and abuse of alcohol is common in the general population, and longitudinal studies that clarify this interplay over time and identify risk factors are highly required. Health care workers and in particular doctor s show high levels of depressive symptoms, and concurrent substance abuse may deteriorate their patient work. This application is for funding a three-year project for a senior researcher and a doctoral fellow. We will utilize data collected from a 10-year follow-up of totally 1000 Norwegian doctors, and we will also conduct a new 15-year follow-up in 2008. The findings will be contrasted with studies on other health care workers. Objectives: (I) to provide new knowledge about occurrence, course and conseq uences of depressive symptoms and problematic drinking, (II) to identify possible risk factors. Publication plan: We aim to write 3-4 papers each year in approved international journals with peer review. The doctoral student will finish his/her thesis. Re sults will be presented in the general media, general medical journals and in educational courses for medical students and doctors. Methods: 15-year longitudinal questionnaire survey of two nationwide samples of all 400 Norwegian students who started medi cal school in 1993 and all 600 students who graduated in 1993/1994. The fourth stage was in 2003 and the fifth stage becomes in 2008. We use well known instruments to measure significant depressive symptoms, alcohol problems and possible risk factors. Sci entific significance: The project is internationally unique, and it will provide new knowledge about depression and alcohol abuse and the individual and work-related factors that are involved. Since we have a large and nationwide population, the results w ill be relevant also for others. We will also be able to map the course over long time: When there is concurrent depression and alcoholism, what comes first? Does depression lead to drinking, or the other way round?