Abstract
Background. Mental ill health is common among doctors. Fast, efficient diagnosis and treatment are needed as mentally ill doctors pose a safety risk to the public, yet they are often reluctant to seek help.
Aims. To review literature regarding risk factors and potential barriers to help-seeking unique to doctors; to consider the success of interventions by specialist services for doctors.
Method: Key phrases regarding the 'mental health of doctors' were entered into internet searches and journal databases to identify relevant research. When key authors were identified, author-specific searches were carried out.
Findings. There are contradictory reports about the prevalence of mental ill health in doctors but it is generally agreed that doctors face a large number of risk factors, both occupational and individual; and help-seeking is difficult due to complexities surrounding a doctor becoming a patient. Specialist services developed specifically for interventions for doctors with mental health problems tend to show promising results but further research is needed.
Conclusions. The unique and complex situation of a doctor becoming a patient benefits from specialist services; such services should focus on early intervention and raising awareness.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 146-156 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Mental Health |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2011 |
Keywords
- POSTAL SURVEY
- interventions
- mental health of doctors
- obstacles to help-seeking
- JOB-SATISFACTION
- MEDICAL-STUDENTS
- CARE WORKERS
- PATIENT-CARE
- QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY
- SUBSTANCE USE
- PHYSICIANS
- YOUNG DOCTORS
- Mental health research
- GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS
- risk factors