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Suicide in doctors. A psychological autopsy study.
Keith Hawton1, Aslög Malmberg, Sue Simkin
1Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK. keith.hawton@psych.ox.ac.uk
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|July 17, 2004
Summary
Doctors face a higher suicide risk, often linked to psychiatric illness, work stress, and substance abuse. Prevention requires better mental healthcare, reduced occupational strain, and restricted access to suicide means.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Psychiatry
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Physicians exhibit elevated suicide rates compared to other professions.
- Understanding the specific factors contributing to physician suicide is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multifaceted factors associated with suicide among medical doctors.
- To identify common diagnoses, life stressors, and methods employed in physician suicides.
Main Methods:
- A psychological autopsy study was conducted.
- The study analyzed data from 38 working doctors who died by suicide in England and Wales between 1991 and 1993.
Main Results:
- Psychiatric illness, particularly depression and substance abuse, was prevalent in 25 of the deceased doctors.
- Work-related issues (25 doctors), relationship problems (14 doctors), and financial difficulties (10 doctors) were significant contributing factors, often co-occurring.
- Self-poisoning using medications from the workplace was the most common method of suicide.
Conclusions:
- Preventing suicide in doctors necessitates a comprehensive approach.
- Key strategies include enhancing psychiatric disorder management, mitigating occupational stressors, and limiting access to lethal means for depressed physicians.