Jagdip Sidhu, a consultant cardiologist, tragically passed away in 2018 after taking his own life, unable to cope with the pressures of work and the shame of feeling like he had failed in his profession. His brother, Amandip, shared that Jagdip may have misunderstood being signed off sick as a form of punishment (McGuinness, 2023). Sadly, Jagdip is not the only doctor to have lost his life to suicide due to work-related stress. Studies have shown that in the United States, a doctor dies by suicide every day (Center et al., 2003), while in the United Kingdom, it happens every two weeks.
To delve deeper into this concerning trend, a recent meta-analysis was conducted by Austrian researchers in 2024 (Zimmermann et al., 2024) to explore the rates of suicide among doctors compared to the general population. The study included data from studies published between 1960 and March 2024, focusing on rate-based outcomes such as suicide mortality among physicians. The analysis revealed that female doctors had a significantly higher suicide rate compared to their male counterparts and the general population.
The study also highlighted variations in suicide rates based on gender, location, and specialty among doctors. Factors contributing to higher suicide rates among physicians include mental health issues, substance abuse, and work-related stress. Female doctors face additional challenges such as barriers to career advancement, discrimination, and balancing work and home responsibilities. Moreover, the stigma surrounding seeking help for mental health issues can prevent doctors from getting the support they need.
It is crucial to address these systemic issues to improve the mental well-being of doctors and reduce the risk of suicide in the profession. This includes creating a supportive work environment, promoting work-life balance, and providing resources for mental health support. By prioritizing the mental health of healthcare professionals, we can work towards preventing further tragic losses within the medical community.
