A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry examines suicide rates among physicians compared to non-physicians, with striking differences between men and women in the medical field. Researchers Hirsh Makhija, Sidney Zisook, and their team analyzed data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) between 2017 and 2021, covering 30 states and Washington, DC. The study included data from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Findings:
Gender Disparity in Suicide Rates:
Male physicians had a lower suicide rate (26.38 per 100,000 person-years) than non-physician men (31.41).
Female physicians, however, had a significantly higher suicide rate (12.12 per 100,000) compared to non-physician women (7.94).
Age Difference: Physicians who died by suicide were older on average (60 years) than non-physicians (51 years).
Pandemic Impact: Contrary to expectations, suicide rates among physicians were higher before the pandemic than during it.
Risk Factors for Physicians:
Physicians who died by suicide were more likely than non-physicians to have:
- Depression
- Legal or job-related problems
- A history of mental health issues
However, they were less likely to have family conflicts or substance use issues—though toxicology reports suggest substance use may be underreported among physicians.
Why Are Female Physicians at Higher Risk?
An accompanying editorial by Elena Frank, Srijan Sen, and Constance Guille highlights possible reasons, including:
- Gender inequities in pay and promotions
- Work-family conflicts, especially childcare burdens
- Sexual harassment in the workplace
- Stigma around seeking mental health care
Addressing the Crisis
Most suicides are linked to psychiatric illnesses like depression and substance use. Burnout and career dissatisfaction are also major concerns in medicine. Medical schools and institutions are working to improve physician well-being by:
- Reducing stigma around mental health care
- Promoting work-life balance
- Addressing systemic gender disparities
“Physicians enter medicine to help patients and advance science,” the authors note. “Supporting these goals can improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout.”
The study underscores the urgent need to protect physicians’ mental health—particularly women in the field—while continuing efforts to close gender gaps in medicine.
This report is based on research by Eugene Rubin, MD, PhD, and Charles Zorumski, MD.
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