You might be interested in…Stress

Physicians face high levels of responsibility, long work hours, and numerous work demands that can affect their personal lives. A review article from the Mayo Clinic in the United States delves into the mental health of physicians as patients.

In 2020, only 43.6% of physicians reported satisfaction with work-life integration, compared to 62.5% of the general US working population. Despite this, 72.2% of physicians would choose the same career path again, indicating that the benefits outweigh the challenges.

Doctors have demanding careers and face various stressors that make them vulnerable to burnout, substance abuse concerns, and mental health issues. Overcoming the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health challenges remains a significant barrier for physicians.

It is crucial to emphasize that seeking help is a positive step. Proper treatment can lead to improved career outcomes, as seeking help is viewed favorably by credentialing bodies and licensing boards.

State licensing boards are increasingly providing ‘safe harbor’ language on licensing applications, allowing for self-disclosure of a wider range of health conditions. Seeking proper treatment enables physicians to lead fulfilling lives.

The health of nurses and doctors at work significantly impacts their overall performance and the quality of care they provide. While many instruments exist to measure health, there is currently a lack of overview of instruments specifically designed for assessing the health of healthcare professionals. A study provides a detailed overview of available health instruments validated for professionals in hospital care.

The study identified 32 comprehensive instruments suitable for broad health screening out of 986 unique instruments reported in 1204 studies. Due to the vast number of instruments, detailed validity and reliability assessments were challenging for each instrument.

Medical negligence claims are on the rise, with most practicing doctors likely to face at least one claim in their careers. The concept of ‘Medical Malpractice Stress Syndrome’ is explored in a paper, highlighting the impact of litigation stress on clinicians’ lives and mental health.

The paper suggests various strategies to help doctors cope with stress, including optimizing wellness, reframing litigation as an opportunity for positive change, prioritizing self-care, and nurturing personal relationships.

There is evidence of increased work-related stress among Norwegian physicians, particularly general practitioners, in recent decades. Trends in occupational stress and predictors of burnout among Norwegian physicians are discussed in a literature review.

The review found that occupational stress decreased gradually from medical school to 20 years later, but the prevalence of an effort-reward imbalance increased among general practitioners. Work-related factors such as work-home conflict, colleague support, work hours, and workload were identified as independent predictors of occupational stress.

Another systematic review examines work stress and burnout among emergency physicians, highlighting the higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization reported by these professionals compared to others in the healthcare field. Work characteristics and traumatic incidents contribute to these challenges, emphasizing the need for personalized coping strategies.

References:

1. Couser G et al. Physician Health Series, Part 3: Physician Mental Health. Mayo Clin Proc. July 2024;99(7):1178-1186 n https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2024.01.020
2. Boskma A et al. Prioritising nurses’ and doctors’ health at work: a scoping review of monitoring instruments. BMJ Open 2024;14:e079861. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079861.
3. Cocchiarale F et al. Medical Malpractice Stress Syndrome. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2025, Pages 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emc.2024.05.024
4. Oftung B et al. Occupational stress among Norwegian physicians: A literature review of long-term prospective studies 2007–2019. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 2025; 53: 302–310. doi: 10.1177/14034948241243164.
5. Somville F et al. Work stress and burnout among emergency physicians: a systematic review of last 10 years of research. Acta Clin Belg 2024 Feb;79(1):52-61. doi:10.1080/17843286.2023.2273611.