A note to the suicidal doctor
2022-08-26
A note to the suicidal doctor from the heart of one who has been there and come through stronger.
A note to the suicidal doctor from the heart of one who has been there and come through stronger.
Imagine a world where no doctor needed to fear sanctions or discrimination for struggling mentally, particularly when the modern practice of medicine is so fraught with conditions causing moral distress. Here’s how to normalize physician mental health.
By the time we are finished our medical training, it’s too late. We have already absorbed or been infused with years of culture, tradition, attitude, and approaches to mental health. These attitudes are towards ourselves, our colleagues, and our patients. If we are to change the culture around physician mental health, we need to start with the doctors of tomorrow. Medical schools have a key role in tackling medical student mental health. And they should start yesterday.
This article explores the thorny issue of physician burnout vs depression, attempting to tease out the similarities and differences.