The New York Times (1/26, Ellin) reports, “Physician burnout has long been a serious concern in the medical community, with roughly 400 doctors dying by suicide each year in the United States,” but the pandemic has only exacerbated this trend. Results “from an October poll of 862 emergency physicians nationwide…found that 87 percent felt more stressed since the onset of Covid-19, with 72 percent experiencing a greater degree of professional burnout.” The poll also found that, “consistent with a longstanding stigma surrounding physician mental health, 45 percent weren’t comfortable seeking mental health treatment, citing concerns about workplace stigma and fear of professional reprisal.” The Times adds, “The American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and other professional groups, have formal statements against punishing doctors who seek mental health treatment.
Related Links:
— “Doctors, Facing Burnout, Turn to Self-Care “Abby Ellin, The New York Times, January 26, 2021