Suicidal Ideation Among American Surgeons

Special Report
Suicidal Ideation Among American Surgeons
Tait D. Shanafelt, MD; Charles M. Balch, MD; Lotte Dyrbye, MD; Gerald Bechamps, MD; Tom Russell, MD; Daniel Satele, BA; Teresa Rummans, MD; Karen Swartz, MD; Paul J. Novotny, MS; Jeff Sloan, PhD; Michael R. Oreskovich, MD

 
Arch Surg. 2011;146(1):54-62. doi:10.1001/archsurg.2010.292
Background  Suicide is a disproportionate cause of death for US physicians. The prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) among surgeons and their use of mental health resources are unknown.
Study Design  Members of the American College of Surgeons were sent an anonymous cross-sectional survey in June 2008. The survey included questions regarding SI and use of mental health resources, a validated depression screening tool, and standardized assessments of burnout and quality of life.
Results  Of 7905 participating surgeons (response rate, 31.7%), 501 (6.3%) reported SI during the previous 12 months. Among individuals 45 years and older, SI was 1.5 to 3.0 times more common among surgeons than the general population (P < .02). Only 130 surgeons (26.0%) with recent SI had sought psychiatric or psychologic help, while 301 (60.1%) were reluctant to seek help due to concern that it could affect their medical license. Recent SI had a large, statistically significant adverse relationship with all 3 domains of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment) and symptoms of depression. Burnout (odds ratio, 1.910; P < .001) and depression (odds ratio, 7.012; P < .001) were independently associated with SI after controlling for personal and professional characteristics. Other personal and professional characteristics also related to the prevalence of SI.
Conclusions  Although 1 of 16 surgeons reported SI in the previous year, few sought psychiatric or psychologic help. Recent SI among surgeons was strongly related to symptoms of depression and a surgeon's degree of burnout. Studies are needed to determine how to reduce SI among surgeons and how to eliminate barriers to their use of mental health resources.

 
                 

 
"There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will. So don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason they didn't make it to your future"
" Amor no es encontrar a alguien con quien vivir, amor es encontrar a alguien que tu sientas no puedes vivir sin el..."

Special Report Suicidal Ideation Among American Surgeons Tait D. Shanafelt, MD; Charles M. Balch, MD; Lotte Dyrbye, MD; Gerald Bechamps, MD; Tom Russell, MD; Daniel Satele, BA; Teresa Rummans, MD; Karen Swartz, MD; Paul J. Novotny, MS; Jeff Sloan, PhD; Michael R. Oreskovich, MD   Arch Surg. 2011;146(1):54-62. doi:10.1001/archsurg.2010.292 Background  Suicide is a disproportionate cause of death for US physicians. The prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) among surgeons and their use of mental health resources are unknown. Study Design  Members of the American College of Surgeons were sent an anonymous cross-sectional survey in June 2008. The survey included questions regarding SI and use of mental health resources, a validated depression screening tool, and standardized assessments of burnout and quality of life. Results  Of 7905 participating surgeons (response rate, 31.7%), 501 (6.3%) reported SI during the previous 12 months. Among individuals 45 years and older, SI was 1.5 to 3.0 times more common among surgeons than the general population (P < .02). Only 130 surgeons (26.0%) with recent SI had sought psychiatric or psychologic help, while 301 (60.1%) were reluctant to seek help due to concern that it could affect their medical license. Recent SI had a large, statistically significant adverse relationship with all 3 domains of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment) and symptoms of depression. Burnout (odds ratio, 1.910; P < .001) and depression (odds ratio, 7.012; P < .001) were independently associated with SI after controlling for personal and professional characteristics. Other personal and professional characteristics also related to the prevalence of SI. Conclusions  Although 1 of 16 surgeons reported SI in the previous year, few sought psychiatric or psychologic help. Recent SI among surgeons was strongly related to symptoms of depression and a surgeon's degree of burnout. Studies are needed to determine how to reduce SI among surgeons and how to eliminate barriers to their use of mental health resources.                       "There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will. So don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason they didn't make it to your future" " Amor no es encontrar a alguien con quien vivir, amor es encontrar a alguien que tu sientas no puedes vivir sin el..."