Mental health issues and suicide rates among doctors, as outlined in a review published by The Lancet
In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being of healthcare providers has become a pressing concern. Ronald Epstein, a professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, has been studying the impact of mental illness on healthcare professionals and has emphasized the urgent need for intervention at three levels: regulatory, institutional, and individual.
One such initiative is the Medical Faculty and Clinician Wellness Program, led by Michael Privitera, M.S., M.D., at the same medical center. The program, which began in 2011, aims to provide physicians with the skills and self-awareness needed to improve their well-being and success. During the pandemic, Privitera's program has focused on reducing physician burnout, advocating for normalizing self-care, and creating boundaries between work and home.
COVID-19 has led to greater isolation for healthcare providers, reducing opportunities for socializing and processing difficult experiences. Hospital leadership, according to Privitera, is crucial for employee wellbeing. Employees need to see that leaders care about their wellbeing. Privitera himself serves as the medical director for the Medical Faculty and Clinician Wellness Program.
The program focuses on mindfulness, coaching, psychotherapy, and other support to bolster resilience in healthcare providers. Part of the culture of medicine is a culture of invincibility, which can make physicians reluctant to ask for help when suffering from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. Debriefing after traumatic events is important for healthcare providers to process and cope with their experiences.
Susan McDaniel, Ph.D, ABPP, is the director of the University of Rochester Medical Center Physician Communication Coaching Program. She and her team offer workshops to help healthcare providers communicate effectively and compassionately with patients, which can also contribute to their own well-being.
Ronald Epstein and other researchers published an article titled "Mental illness and suicide among physicians" in The Lancet, highlighting the alarming statistic that across all countries, physicians have a higher suicide rate than the general population and those of similar socio-economic status. In the United States, one doctor dies by suicide per day.
Mark Taubman, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of the medical center and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, expressed appreciation for the medical center community's dedication during a September 2021 message. He acknowledged the challenges faced by healthcare providers and emphasized the importance of prioritizing their well-being.
Epstein's full review emphasizes that organizational-level interventions like this are an urgent need, and training programs, leadership, and the broader healthcare system should be given prominence and the greatest priority. Institutions should consider recognizing and identifying individuals who might be suffering, and changing working conditions to reduce mental distress.
Privitera encourages faculty and staff to practice focusing on good things that happen during the day and reviewing them before going to sleep at night. By prioritizing their own well-being, healthcare providers can better serve their patients and navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
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