This mentality prevents many doctors from seeking the help they need, which can lead to burnout – and much worse. An estimated 300 physicians die by suicide every year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The problem is particularly pronounced among female physicians, who die by suicide at a significantly higher rate than women in other professions.
A March report from this news organization found, of more than 9,000 doctors surveyed, 9% of male physicians and 11% of female physicians said they have had suicidal thoughts. But the problem isn’t new, the report noted. Elevated rates of suicide among physicians have been documented for 150 years.
“Ironically, it’s happening to a group of people who should have the easiest access to mental health care,” said Gary Price, a Connecticut surgeon and president of The Physicians Foundation.
But the reluctance to seek help isn’t unfounded, said Corey Feist, president of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation .
“There’s something known in residency as the ‘silent curriculum,’ ” Mr. Feist said in describing an often-unspoken understanding among doctors that seeking mental health treatment could jeopardize their livelihood.
Mr. Feist’s sister-in-law, emergency room physician Lorna Breen, died by suicide during the early months of the pandemic. Dr. Breen sought inpatient treatment for mental health once, Mr. Feist said, but feared that her medical license could be revoked for doing so.
The foundation works to change laws across the country to prohibit medical boards and hospitals from asking doctors invasive mental health questions on employment or license applications.
“These people need to be taken care of by us, because really, no one’s looking out for them,” Mr. Feist said.
In Charleston, psychologists are made available to physicians during group meetings like the one Dr. Miller attended, as part of the resiliency program.
But fixing the burnout problem also requires a cultural change, especially among older physicians.
“They had it worse and we know that. But it’s still not good,” Dr. Miller said. “Until that changes, we’re just going to continue burning out physicians within the first 3 years of their career.”
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.