Psychological health of Irish physicians

This study aimed to understand the factors contributing to psychological distress among nonconsultant hospital doctors in Ireland. To achieve this goal, we first sought to identify correlates of psychological distress among help-seeking physicians and, second, to explore the experiences of doctors working within Irish hospitals. The study employed a mixed-method approach. Correlates of psychological distress were identified through a secondary analysis of data obtained from n = 170 physicians accessing counseling services from 2020 to 2022, collected by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Multiple linear regression was used to examine how age, gender, specialty, work hours, mental health history, and familial background were associated with increased vulnerability to adverse mental health, measured by a psychologist's "level of concern" for the physician. In addition, physician's experiences of working within Irish hospitals were explored using semistructured interviews with n = 10 doctors. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics indicated a higher proportion of female doctors seeking counseling services, with 123 out of 170 female participants. Greater concern for physician's well-being was associated with younger age, less years of training, and female sex. Workplace culture, barriers to accessing mental health resources, illegal working hours, and understaffing all emerged as themes describing physicians' experiences of working in Irish hospitals. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of psychological distress among nonconsultant hospital doctors and emphasize the importance of addressing systemic barriers to support their mental well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).