Follow-up of sixty-one physicians after psychiatric treatment

Reported the results of a direct follow-up of 61 physicians who had been hospitalized for emotional impairment during 1969-1978. As of the fall-winter of 1979-1980, 35 physicians were in productive practice; 8 had died of purely medical causes; 5 had committed suicide; 2 were over age 65 and retired; 6 were not practicing for other reasons; 2 were physically disabled; and 3 could not be located. Recovery rate varied from 57% to 71% depending on the criteria used in calculating the ratio. Our outcome rate accords with those reported previously. Interviews with surviving physicians revealed that some important factors in recovery were rest and recuperation; spirituality, AA, and NA; modification in workload; support of colleagues; and constructive use of threat of loss of licensure.