[The relevance of occupational physician for physicians]

The Japan Medical Association launched a project team to examine health conditions of physicians working at hospitals in 2008. First, cross-sectional study was conducted among total number of 10,000 physicians, who were randomly selected from the Japan Medical Association (JMA). They were asked to fill in a basic questionnaire that was used to collect demographic data and to complete the Japanese version of Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR-16). As a result, an adjusted response rate was 40.5%. Fifty-three % of the respondents did not consult with the colleagues about their unhealthy conditions, 46% had less than 4 holidays in a month, and 41% slept for less than 6 hours. More importantly, from a psychiatric point of view, 6% thought of committing suicide several times a week, 9% showed lack of interest, and 6% felt lack of energy. The QIDS-SR-16 also indicated 8.7% were in a moderately depressed state and 1.9% suffered from severe depression. Secondly, the project team provided a consulation service through E-mail and telephone to listen and advice to JMA members who had the needs. However, there were only few consultations that took place. Thirdly, the project team held several workshops in 12 different locations targeting occupational physicians working in hospitals. The workshops included case conferences and lectures on mental health. From 2010 to 2011, there were total of 450 participants. Finally, in addition to these attempts, the author has been working as an occupational physician for a major department of a University hospital. The author thinks from these experiences that the location of an external occupational physician would be most effective for prevention and early detection of mental problems among physicians working in hospitals.