IMAGE: KRISTEN KIM, MD, IS A RESIDENT #PHYSICIAN IN PSYCHIATRY AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH.view more CREDIT: UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH SCIENCES
#Physician burnout and #suicide are a growing public health concern, with 1 in 15 #physicians experiencing #suicidalideation. Studies consistently show that #physicians are more likely than non-#physicians to experience work-related stressors prior to #suicide. Still, the exact nature of these stressors was unknown.
To better understand and characterize the job stressors that contribute to #physician #suicide, researchers at UC San Diego Health reviewed the death investigation narratives from 200 #physician suicides collected by a national database between 2003 and 2018. Using natural language processing and thematic analysis — tools for extracting and interpreting data from the reports — the team was able to identify the main issues contributing to physician job #stress and #suicide.
The study, published June 29, 2022 in #Suicide and Life-Threatening #Behavior, found six overarching themes in the reports. These included an incapacity to work due to deterioration of physical health, substance use that was jeopardizing employment, the interaction between #mentalhealth and work-related issues, relationship conflicts affecting work, legal problems and increased #financial #stress.
“We often overlook the physical health of our #healthcareworkers, but poor health can lead to difficulty performing tasks at work, which then leads to job stress and #mentalhealthissues,” said corresponding author Kristen Kim, MD, a resident #physician in psychiatry at UC San Diego Health.
The authors outlined several short- and long-term solutions for #healthcaresystems to consider.
In the long-term, the authors called for broader structural and cultural changes to address workplace stress and poor #physician #self-care.
“The unspoken culture of medicine encourages self-sacrifice, deferred needs and delayed rewards,” said Kim. “We always want to put our #patients first, but healers cannot optimally heal unless they themselves are first whole.”
The authors highlighted the importance of cultivating a sense of safety and community among #physicians. They also suggested that #healthcaresystems and medical #schools provide additional personal finance education and legal support.
“There is a lot of work to be done,” said Kim, “but identifying and acknowledging the problem is always the first step towards a solution, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Co-authors include: Gordon Y. Ye, Nicholas Kos, Sidney Zisook and Judy E. Davidson at UC San Diego, as well as Angela Maria Haddad at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.
#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
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
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 jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org 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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