Data from a 2019 survey of more than 5000 #cardiologists across the globe suggests 28% of the field may be experiencing some form of #mentalhealthcondition, with results also shedding light on predictors of #mentalhealthconditions.
Garima Sharma, MD
More than 1-in-4 #cardiologists report experiencing #mentalhealthconditions, according to the results of an American College of Cardiology (ACC)-led survey.
Conducted by the ACC, the survey, which was conducted in 2019, found 28% of the more than 5800 respondents reported some form of #mentalhealthcondition, with more than 40% of #cardiologists reporting a #mentalhealthcondition also reporting being dissatisfied with 1 or more career-related metrics.
“We highlight the need for the culture of cardiology to be more inclusive and supportive of those affected and encourage them to report their illness and seek treatment,” wrote investigators. “Given the high prevalence of #mentalhealthdisorders among #cardiologists globally, dedicated efforts are needed, on an individual and organizational level, to reduce the causes of #mentalillness and to create a safe environment for those affected by [#mentalhealthconditions].”
Led by Garima Sharma, MD, associate vice chair of Women’s Careers in Academic Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, and a team of colleagues that included Laxmi Mehta, MD, the vice chair of wellness for the Department of Internal Medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and chair of the ACC’s Task Force on Clinician Well-Being, the current study was led with the intent of estimating the global prevalence of #mentalhealthconditions among #cardiologists and its relationships to professional life. Investigators obtained data for their analyses from a 50-item online anonymous questionnaire conducted by the ACC in the latter half of 2019 that was administered to 71,022 #cardiologists across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South and North America.
For the purpose of analysis, #mentalhealthconditions of interest included #alcohol/#drugusedisorder, #suicidaltendencies, psychological distress, other #psychiatricdisorder, and major #psychiatricdisorder. Investigators pointed out ACC member and nonmember #cardiologists listed within the ACC database were considered eligible for inclusion.
Of the 71,022 #cardiologists who were sent survey invitations 5931 responded, with 5830 answering questions related to #mentalhealth. Among respondents with #mentalhealth data, 77.4% were #men, 33.5% were less than 40 years of age, 53.5% identified as #White, 16.9% identified as #Asian, 16.7% identified as #Hispanic, 3.4% identified as non-#Hispanic #Black, and less than .5% identified as #NativeAmerican of native Hawaiian. Investigators pointed out 75.5% of #cardiologists were married and 74.9% had #children.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
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Overall, 28.0% of respondents reported having a #mentalhealthcondition, with the prevalence varying across subgroups. Investigators pointed out #women #cardiologists were more likely to report having a #mentalhealthcondition (33.7% vs 26.3%; P <.001), a major #psychiatricdisorder (4.1% vs 2.1%), or other #psychiatricdisorder (10.8% vs 8.0%). Investigators also highlighted those with 5-10 years of practice post-training were more likely to report having a #mentalhealthcondition than their counterparts with 20 years of experience or more (31.9% vs 22.6%; P <.001).
When assessing the influence of #race and ethnicity, results suggest #Hispanic #cardiologists (35.3%) were more likely to report #mentalhealthconditions than their #White (27.8%), non-#Hispanic #Black (26.3%), or #Asian (21.6%) counterparts (P <.001). Investigators pointed out 71% of #Hispanic #cardiologists were from South America or Central America.
Investigators also called attention to the rate of #cardiologists considering #suicide, with 2.7% of those reporting a #mentalhealthcondition reporting considering #suicide in the past 12 months, 2.9% reporting considering #suicide more than 12 months ago, and 0.4% reporting having attempted #suicide. Further analysis of this group revealed #women were more likely to consider #suicide in the last 12 months (3.8% vs 2.3%) but were also more likely to seek (42.3% vs 31.1%) help compared with #men (all P <.001).
When assessing association between #mentalhealthconditions and professional life, results suggested 44% of respondents with a #mentalhealthcondition reporting being dissatisfied with at least one aspect of their professional life. Analyses revealed experiencing emotional harassment (OR, 2.81 [95% CI, 2.46-3.20]), discrimination (OR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.61-2.12]), being divorced(OR, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.27-2.36]), and being less than 55 years of age (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.24-1.6]) were all considered positive predictors of #mentalhealthconditions.
In an editorial comment, Andrew Sauer, MD, a #cardiologist at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, paints a picture of the hurdles and struggles faced by early career as well as established #cardiologists. Sauer describes the need for implementing interventions at multiple stages of the #mentalillness progression cycle and finishes by touching on what he interprets as a cause for hope.
“Pursuing a career in cardiology can be a masterclass in delayed gratification and quiet suppression of #self-care. We commonly defer life timelines all in the spirit of commitment to #patient-care excellence. And the intrinsic rewards of easing the suffering of our #patients while experiencing the enrichment of the #patient-#doctor relationship cannot be understated,” Sauer opined. “But medicine is increasingly isolating for many. Burnout, #psychological distress, overt #mentalillness, and #suicidalideation are legitimate threats to healthcare’s central aims.”
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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