Suicidal ideation and medical profession: from medical students to hospital physicians

With regard to an increased risk of suicide among physicians, the prevalence and predictors of suicidal ideation among medical students have attracted increased attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the level and characteristics of suicidal ideation in medical students and hospital physicians of School of Medicine, University of Mostar.

Suicidal ideation was assessed in 200 students: 45 students of the first year, 36 students of the second year, 44 students of the third year, 28 students of the fourth year, 25 students of the fifth year and 22 students of the sixth year and 90 hospital physicians.

Some form of the actual suicidality was found in 9.16% of medical students: 4.4% of students of the first year, 8.4% of students of the second year, 9.1% of students of third year, 3.6% of students of the fourth year, 13.6% of the sixth year as well as in 2.2% of the hospital physicians.

The level of suicidal ideation among medical students is warning and should initiate preventive interventions.