2011/01/28 by Samantha K. Brooks, Clare Gerada, Trudie Chalder · 2 citations
Health Professions · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout #Mental Health Treatment and Access #Workplace Violence and Bullying
paper · doi:10.3109/09638237.2010.541300
BACKGROUND: Mental ill health is common among doctors. Fast, efficient diagnosis and treatment are needed as mentally ill doctors pose a safety risk to the public, yet they are often reluctant to seek help. AIMS: To review literature regarding risk factors and potential barriers to help-seeking unique to doctors; to consider the success of interventions by specialist services for doctors. METHOD: Key phrases regarding the 'mental health of doctors' were entered into internet searches and journal databases to identify relevant research. When key authors were identified, author-specific searches were carried out. FINDINGS: There are contradictory reports about the prevalence of mental ill health in doctors but it is generally agreed that doctors face a large number of risk factors, both occupational and individual; and help-seeking is difficult due to complexities surrounding a doctor becoming a patient. Specialist services developed specifically for interventions for doctors with mental health problems tend to show promising results but further research is needed. CONCLUSIONS: The unique and complex situation of a doctor becoming a patient benefits from specialist services; such services should focus on early intervention and raising awareness.