Medical Survey Indicates 28 Percent of Cardiologists Suffer from Mental Health Issues

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – According to estimates based on data from National Violent Death Reporting System from the Centers for Disease Control, there are approximately 119 physician suicides annually, which essentially equates to medium-sized medical school class. Physicians in general are educated to be professional caregivers, and as such are reluctant to seek help for mental health issues. Physicians can lose their license for substance addiction, records loss or misplacement, and unethical behavior. Additionally, if the state licensing board deems that a physician’s mental health puts patients at risk, they can revoke the physician’s medical license. Per information from the Federation of State Medical Boards, in 2021 there were 15,282 disciplinary alerts issued by the board. There were 1,059 reciprocal actions taken, 1,069 licenses restricted, and 3,402 physicians disciplined.  

The findings in new survey from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) suggests that over a quarter of cardiologists are struggling with mental health. Published earlier this month in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the findings add to the growing number of reports indicating that we may be on the forefront of an epidemic of mental health issues in healthcare.   

The ACC surveyed a total of 5,931 cardiologists worldwide in 2019, with US physicians accounting for 6.5 percent of respondents. Participants were asked about the frequency of anxiety, irritability, and anger. They were also asked about the prevalence of substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and clinical psychiatric disorders including major depression, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress.

Overall, 28 percent of the physicians polled reported mental health issues. The prevalence among women was higher at 34 percent, compared to men at 26 percent. Men were more likely to report substance abuse, however women were more likely to report psychiatric issues. A total of .4 percent reported attempting to commit suicide, however women were more likely to have considered suicide in the past. 

A higher prevalence of mental health issues was reported by those physicians that were under the age of 40, divorced, or in mid-career. Forty-two percent of those reporting mental health issues also acknowledged a hostile work environment. The most notable clinical predicators of mental health issues included emotional harassment, discrimination, divorce, and under the age of 55.

Of the 1,648 physicians that indicated they were dealing with mental health issues, 84 percent of the men and 78 percent of the women polled stated they had not reported their mental health conditions. Additionally, 31 percent of the men and 42 percent of the women stated they had not sought help or treatment. Lack of privacy was the top reason given for not addressing mental health issues. Lack of time, embarrassment, and consequence to professional advancement were also given as reasons. 

The study calls for a clear acknowledgment of mental health conditions among physicians, elimination of the stigma of health issues in the healthcare community and workplace, and an improvement in workplace environment and culture. 

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