Recently, JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association published a systemic review and meta-analysis that investigated the prevalence of depression among medical residents. The results which were based on over 50 studies and involved 17,000 residents from around the world found that upwards of 1/3 of residents experienced symptoms of depression, a rate that is markedly higher than the general population.
While some still point to the persistent stigma of mental illness among medical professionals, as well as the culture of medicine which includes high stress, busy schedules and sleep deprivation as contributing factors to becoming overwhelmed and depressed, Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan from Halifax suggests part of the problem may also be rooted in the exposure to trauma many physicians face, as well as a lack of supports to discuss mental health challenges, and difficulties and stressors encountered at work.
""As a result of being exposed to this trauma vicariously over and over again, it actually impacts on the world view of the practitioner themselves," Jayabarathan said. "As a result of it, they end up losing the very empathy and compassion that attracted us to that field in the first place."
Jayabarathan recognized how time-pressed residents when they need to learn skills quickly. But she called it unconscionable to leave residents to face storms without protection, such as supports known as Balint groups where doctors can debrief regularly to prevent burnout."
For the full story, click here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/depression-residents-1.3355358
https://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2474424
While some still point to the persistent stigma of mental illness among medical professionals, as well as the culture of medicine which includes high stress, busy schedules and sleep deprivation as contributing factors to becoming overwhelmed and depressed, Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan from Halifax suggests part of the problem may also be rooted in the exposure to trauma many physicians face, as well as a lack of supports to discuss mental health challenges, and difficulties and stressors encountered at work.
""As a result of being exposed to this trauma vicariously over and over again, it actually impacts on the world view of the practitioner themselves," Jayabarathan said. "As a result of it, they end up losing the very empathy and compassion that attracted us to that field in the first place."
Jayabarathan recognized how time-pressed residents when they need to learn skills quickly. But she called it unconscionable to leave residents to face storms without protection, such as supports known as Balint groups where doctors can debrief regularly to prevent burnout."
For the full story, click here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/depression-residents-1.3355358
https://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2474424
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