26 year old NYU School of Medicine Class of 2014 graduate Sean O'Rourke's tragic death two weeks ago brought to light an issue which is rarely spoken of in med school classrooms, between physicians, or more generally in society ... physician suicide.
It's important to remember that physicians are not immune to mental illness or suicidal ideation. In fact, as the article below points out "studies have found that doctors suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and the highest suicide rate of any profession."
In her must-read article "When doctors commit suicide, it’s often hushed up" for the Washington Post, family physician Pamela Wible MD, explains the "triple taboo" surrounding physician suicide, explores why so many doctors and med students are burnt out which can lead to mental health concerns, and what she's doing (and what others can do) to help stir the conversation and provide support to those in the medical profession who are struggling in silence. Check it out now!
"I pointed out why so many doctors and medical students are burning out: We see far too much pain; to ask for help is considered a weakness; to visit a psychiatrist can be professional suicide, meaning that we risk loss of license and hospital privileges, not to mention wariness from patients if our emotional distress becomes known."
It's important to remember that physicians are not immune to mental illness or suicidal ideation. In fact, as the article below points out "studies have found that doctors suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and the highest suicide rate of any profession."
In her must-read article "When doctors commit suicide, it’s often hushed up" for the Washington Post, family physician Pamela Wible MD, explains the "triple taboo" surrounding physician suicide, explores why so many doctors and med students are burnt out which can lead to mental health concerns, and what she's doing (and what others can do) to help stir the conversation and provide support to those in the medical profession who are struggling in silence. Check it out now!
"I pointed out why so many doctors and medical students are burning out: We see far too much pain; to ask for help is considered a weakness; to visit a psychiatrist can be professional suicide, meaning that we risk loss of license and hospital privileges, not to mention wariness from patients if our emotional distress becomes known."
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