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Around one-fifth of doctors are depressed and 1 in 10 doctors consider suicide.
Amid endeavors for addressing the issue of suicide and depression that has been developing for years, aggravated by burnout and stress of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, and deteriorated by doctors' fears of deprivation of their standing within medical care community, the Physician Suicide Report 2022 was released. Physicians were invited to participate in a 10-minute online survey.
Due to burnout, depression, workplace stress, and the ravages of the COVID-19 epidemic, many doctors feel hopeless and depressed, which can trigger suicidal thoughts. In a poll of almost 13,000 doctors who were frank in sharing their experiences about what made them ponder suicide, how they dealt with such ideas, how they attempt to maintain their mental health, and how they support colleagues who are going through difficult times, around one-fifth (21%) of doctors claimed to be depressed.
Among those, 24% reported having clinical depression and 64% reported having colloquial depression. Simple depression screenings were conducted in several hospital systems prior to the pandemic. These screenings revealed a 10% serious depression prevalence among doctors. Depression rates are currently between 30 and 33%. One in ten doctors reported having considered or attempted suicide. Recent research has revealed that physicians experience a greater prevalence of suicide ideation than the general population (7.2% vs. 4%).
In the National Physician Burnout, Depression & Suicide Report published by Medscape in 2019, 14% of doctors stated having thoughts of suicide. The number increased to 22% in 2020 but decreased in 2022. The percentage of doctors who attempt suicide but don't succeed has stayed constant throughout time at 1%. The rates of men (9%) and women (11%) who have thought about suicide are quite similar. Oncologists, pathologists, and general surgeons were three of the speciality groups with the highest incidence of suicidal thoughts this year.
While millennials typically resorted to a family member, boomers who wanted to share their suicide intentions frequently confided in a therapist. The reason why doctors don't talk about having suicidal thoughts is because doing so will make them appear hopeless and unable to deal with life's difficulties. Sharing suicidal thoughts is uncommon, yet a little greater proportion of female physicians (13%) compared to male physicians (10%) reported receiving a confidante who had suicidal thoughts. Some studies suggest that women tend to be better listeners than males and have a noticeably larger desire for listening, which may be a contributing factor.
Some respondents reported accompanying a colleague to their first visit or personally setting up an appointment with a mental health professional, and even taking the colleague to the emergency department. When a colleague confides in you that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, start by expressing gratitude for the information. Then, inquire about what you may do to assist, reducing any sensation of loneliness your colleague might be experiencing.
They can also be encouraged to speak with a friend or member of their family. In general, female respondents (81%) are slightly more active in these circumstances than their male counterparts (79%). There is a misconception in the public that if the term "suicide" is used, the individual will be more inclined to commit suicide or will begin thinking about it. However, it is probably running through their minds already, over and over again. The first crucial step is to have that talk, acknowledge their suffering and grief, and assist them in receiving the aid they require.
Those who were younger were more likely to believe that medical schools and healthcare institutions should be held accountable if one of their students or clinicians commit suicide. The number of doctors who believed the institution bore the ultimate responsibility decreased with each following age group. For maintaining happiness and mental health, spending time with family and friends was mentioned by 68% of doctors.
The fact that over half of respondents take action to maintain their mental health and happiness is positive. Reducing job hours or working part-time, participating in religious activities, and spending time with pets were common answers to "other." Roughly 25% of the population reports being lonely, and isolation and loneliness are significant stresses. Thus, one of the most important protective factors for good mental health is close and personal connections.
Several valuable resources are available for doctors witnessing suicidal ideation like Physician Support Line, International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, PeerRX Med, and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. These resources provide support from a fellow clinician who is closely familiar with this territory. It is also advised to seek out more "conventional" aid, such as from insurance company-recommended therapists or employee assistance programmes.
Medscape
A Tragedy of the Profession: Medscape Physician Suicide Report 2022
Batya Swift Yasgur et al.
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