Why do doctors kill themselves? A brief communication

Abstract

Background: Current evidence highlights that although it is a universal disease, depressionand mental and behavioral disorders affect different careers differently. In this clinical context,studies consider that it is vitally important that we take action now to fully understand theactual impact of suicide on physician workforce.Objective: Here we show that the suicide rate among physicians has exploded in recentdecades. The suicide rate among male and female physicians is 1.41 and 2.27 times higherthan that of the general male and female population, respectively.Results: Suicide in doctors can be affected by intense competition. Other contributors includefinancial pressures, as well as the need to adjust to being “average” among their high achievingcohorts. Moving frequently between hospitals and wards on placement can generateanxiety too. There can be additional pressure to author publications and other CV-buildingachievements from early on in medical school.Conclusion: Despite the fact that 10-20% of them have suffered from depression, and suiciderates are reported to be much higher than among other professional groups or the generalpopulation, doctors have poor access to mental health care. The idea of giving up lifecomes when worries, fatigue, and emotional pain pile up on a level that makes doctors feelincapable of bearing that suffering.