Surgeons contemplating suicide is the subject of a study published this week.
The results suggest that these self-destructive thoughts may result from medical errors, job burnout, and depression. The study also found that surgeons contemplate suicide at higher rates than the general public, and they’re less likely to seek help.
According to the study, fear of losing their jobs contributes to surgeons’ reluctance to get mental health treatment.
About 6% reported recent suicidal thoughts; depression, medical errors, and burnout were more common among those with suicidal thoughts than those without.
Among the general population, about 3% have suicidal thoughts.
The study involved nearly 8,000 surgeons. It appears in the January 2011 issue of Archives of Surgery.
More.
[Source: Associated Press]
