Mortality among anesthesiologists in Denmark, 1973–95

Abstract

In Denmark there is no evidence of a high mortality risk in consultant anesthesiologists compared with other consultants.

Is the life expectancy of anesthesiologists decreased?

“…In contrast to the Swedish results, no increased risks were found in the Danish, Norwegian, or Finnish studies (2)(3)(4). Both the Norwegian and Finnish studies were, however, rather small and also hampered by methodological weaknesses (3, 4).…”

“…Unfortunately, the results of the Swedish study were not published until very recently (1). In the same issue of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, similar studies from Denmark, Finland, and Norway also appeared (2)(3)(4).…”

Burnout, psychosomatic symptoms and job satisfaction among Dutch nurse anaesthetists: a survey

“…Long‐standing stress at work can adversely affect physical and mental health, and is associated with, e.g., muscular strains and injuries, 8 cardiovascular diseases 8–11 and drug or alcohol abuse culminating in suicide 12,13 . Although causality is not yet found, higher mortality rates 14 and suicidality or suicide rates among anaesthesiologists 12,13,15 were reported in several studies, whereas others found equal mortality rates 16–18 …”

Mortality rates for Finnish anaesthesiologists and paediatricians are lower than those for the general population

“…1 Due to its methodological flaws, the study was heavily criticized but it prompted a survey in each of the Nordic countries. [2][3][4][5] In our previous report 2 , we investigated mortality rates and demonstrated that anaesthesiologists in Finland had a lower age-standardized mortality rate than other specialists, which was due to the different age structures of the two groups. Our previous survey included only 18 deceased anaesthesiologist.…”