A comparison of risk and protective factors related to suicide ideation among residents and specialists in academic medicine

Abstract

BackgroundPhysicians have an elevated risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts, which might be due to work-related factors. However, the hierarchical work positions as well as work-related health differ among resident and specialist physicians. As such, the correlates of suicide ideation may also vary between these two groups.MethodsIn the present study, work- and health-related factors and their association with suicidal thoughts among residents (n = 234) and specialists (n = 813) working at a university hospital were examined using cross-sectional data.ResultsLogistic regression analysis showed that having supportive meetings was associated with a lower level of suicide ideation among specialists (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50-0.94), while an empowering leadership was related to a lower level of suicide ideation among residents (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32-0.94). Having been harassed at work was associated with suicidal ideation among specialists (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.31-3.91). In addition, sickness presenteeism and work disengagement were associated with suicide ideation in both groups of physicians.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that different workplace interventions are needed to prevent suicide ideation in residents and specialists.

Suicide among Physicians and Methodological Similarities of MEDLINE/PubMED and BVS/BIREME Open Access Bibliographic Databases: A Systematic Review with Metanalysis

“…Mortality rate by almost all causes of death, except suicide, is however lower for physicians than for the general audience [8] [26], which is in agreement with the healthy worker's effect [8].…”

“…Physicians usually commit suicide in higher frequency compared to the general population [6] [7] [8]. Thus, the decrease of suicide mortality among physicians should be the main purpose of this working class to change this situation [8].…”

“…Since suicidal ideation is another risk factor for suicide, prevention actions aiming to avoid these thoughts and suicide itself have great importance not only for these physicians, but also for the entire workgroup [8] [10] [11] [12].…”

“…Indeed, the healthy worker's effect refers to a consistent trend of the active employee in having a lower mortality rate than the general population due to selection effects [8] [25], suicide and suicidal thoughts are significantly more common among physicians, as well as burnout and other signs of psychic suffering. Mortality rate by almost all causes of death, except suicide, is however lower for physicians than for the general audience [8] [26], which is in agreement with the healthy worker's effect [8].…”

Promotion of Wellness and Mental Health Awareness Among Physicians in Training: Perspective of a National, Multispecialty Panel of Residents and Fellows

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17] Studies have suggested that work-related stressors are a factor, with work-related stress having an impact on the risk for suicidal ideation among physicians in training and in practice. 13,16 The CRCR focused on the learning environment as a modifiable factor that may be transformed to support the physician in training. We selected appreciative inquiry for our discussion, since we wanted to build the system for promoting resident wellness on the existing positive aspects of the learning environment.…”