Towards a model of suicidal behavior among physicians

Abstract

Suicide is a disproportionate cause of death for physicians relative to both the general population and other professionals. Death by suicide is about 70 percent more likely among male physicians in the U.S. than among other professionals, and 250-400 percent higher among female physicians. About 300-400 physicians, the equivalent of at least one entire medical school class, commit suicide in the U.S. every year. A recent international systematic review suggests that physicians relative suicide risk is 1.1 to 3.4 for men and 2.5 to 5.7 for women when the rates are compared with those for the general population and at 1.5 to 3.8 for men and 3.7 to 4.5 for women when the rates are compared with those for other professionals. Suicidal ideation and attempts are also frequent among physicians. A survey of physicians in Norway has shown that the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts and feelings that life was not worth living were 1.6% and 51.1%, respectively. Over 90% of Americans who commit suicide have a significant mental illness. It has recently been suggested that physicians may have an acquired capability for suicide. Our knowledge of the psychobiology of suicidal behavior among physicians is limited. Suicide risk factors among physicians may be different from risk factors for suicidal behavior in the general population. We need to do research studies to explore potential risk factors for suicidal behavior among physicians. This may open new avenues of suicide prevention interventions among physicians. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)