Confronting Depression and Suicide in Physicians

Davis, Miriam; Detre, Thomas; Ford, Daniel E.; Hansbrough, Wendy; Hendin, Herbert; László, John; Litts, David A.; Mann, J. John; Mansky, Peter A.; Michels, Robert; Miles, Steven H.; Proujansky, Roy; Reynolds, Charles F.; Silverman, Morton M.

doi:10.1001/jama.289.23.3161

Cited by 591 publications

(469 citation statements)

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“…4 Such similar figures, however, are not supported by the international literature. [5][6][7] Underreporting of deaths due to suicide among doctors may be one factor involved in this phenomenon, and may explain why our study showed a smaller suicide rate compared to that found among physicians in other countries. 3,12 Other studies are needed to better explain this situation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

“…4 International data indicate that suicides are more frequent among physicians than among members of the general population. [5][6][7] Many studies have compared physician mortality with that of the general population and have found that, despite having a higher life expectancy and a lower mortality rate from avoidable diseases and various other causes, physicians are more susceptible to suicide. 8 Compared with the rest of the working-age population, doctors have a 2.45-fold higher rate of death by suicide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suicide among physicians in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, across one decade

Palhares-Alves

Palhares

Laranjeira

et al. 2015

Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr.

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Objective: To describe mortality by suicide among physicians in the state of Sã o Paulo, Brazil, between 2000 and2009. Methods: Secondary analysis of government mortality data. The variable of interest was ''underlying cause of death'', specifically deaths classified by the ICD-10 as intentional self-harm (X60 to X84). Results: The analyses examined 2,297 declarations of death, among which suicide accounted for 50 cases, i.e., 1.7% of all causes of death. Women comprised 13.2% of the total sample and represented 24% of the death-by-suicide group, indicating an overrepresentation of women in the latter (p = 0.02). Deaths by suicide occurred on average 20 years earlier than deaths by other causes (46.8614.2 years and 68.1615.8 years, respectively; p = 0.001). There was a significant association between single and/or divorced status and suicide (p o 0.001). The average mortality rate during the study period was 4.2 deaths per 100,000 physicians registered with the Regional Board of Medicine of the State of São Paulo. Conclusion: Deaths by suicide occurred 20 years earlier than deaths by other causes. Medical institutions should develop strategies for the prevention and early detection of mental disorders and occupational stressors that elevate the risk of suicide among physicians.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide among physicians in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, across one decade

Palhares-Alves

Palhares

Laranjeira

et al. 2015

Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Facilities were visited in a prearranged Work load 23,26 Working conditions 25,26 Public system-related frustration 23,24 Work stress and anxiety 6 Balancing work and personal life 21,25 Vacation limit 21 Equipment 23…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…17 A cross-sectional study performed on anxiety or depression in doctors working in Tygerberg Hospital found that 2% of doctors reported severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, 21% had moderate symptoms and 47% were symptom free. 18 According to Center et al, 21 depression, with a lifetime prevalence of 12.8%, seems to be as common in physicians as that in the general population. In South Africa, the life time prevalence of mood disorders in the general population between 2002 and 2004 was reported to be 9.8%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of burnout and depression in medical doctors working in the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality community healthcare clinics and district hospitals of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape: a cross-sectional study

Rossouw

Seedat

Emsley

et al. 2013

South African Family Practice

107

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Aim: This study investigated burnout and depression in medical doctors in the context of work-related conditions and the role of resilience as a modifiable factor. Method:A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on consenting medical doctors (n = 132) working at Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality primary healthcare facilities of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape. Data were collected from doctors at 27 facilities by means of a self-administered questionnaire battery, containing socio-demographic information, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC).Results: Of 132 doctors included in the analysis, 76% experienced burnout, as indicated by high scores in either the emotional exhaustion or depersonalisation subscales. In addition, 27% of doctors had cut-off scores on the BDI indicating moderate depression, while 3% were identified to have severe depression. The number of hours, work load, working conditions and system-related frustrations were ranked as the most important contributing factors to burnout. More experienced doctors and those with higher resilience scores had lower levels of burnout, as evident by their lower scores in the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation domains of the MBI.Conclusion: Both burnout and depression are prevalent problems in doctors working at district level and in communities. Resilience appears to be protective and may be a useful target for future intervention.Peer reviewed.

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“…Previous studies suggest that 10-20 % of physicians are depressed, nearly half have burnout, and many have poor quality of life (QOL), report dissatisfaction with work-life balance, and have high degrees of stress and fatigue. [1][2][3][4] Physicians' mental health can adversely affect competency, professionalism, and the quality of care physicians provide their patients. 2 Burnout and other types of distress are associated with alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation, malpractice suits, and attrition from medical practice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%