A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry reveals stark differences in suicide rates between physicians and non-physicians—with female doctors dying by suicide at a much higher rate than women in the general population.
The research, led by Hirsh Makhija, Sidney Zisook, and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) between 2017 and 2021. The study included records from 30 states and Washington, DC, covering periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Findings
Physicians vs. Non-Physicians: The study identified 448 physicians (354 male, 94 female) and 97,467 non-physicians (76,697 male, 20,770 female) who died by suicide during the study period.
Gender Differences:
Male physicians had a lower suicide rate (26.38 per 100,000 person-years) than non-physician men (31.41).
Female physicians had a higher suicide rate (12.12 per 100,000 person-years) than non-physician women (7.94).
Age Factor: The average age of physicians who died by suicide was 60, compared to 51 for non-physicians.
Pandemic Impact: Surprisingly, suicide rates among physicians were higher before COVID-19 than during the pandemic.
Risk Factors for Physicians
Compared to non-physicians, doctors who died by suicide were more likely 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 potential reasons, including:
- Sexual harassment and gender pay gaps
- Work-family conflicts and childcare stress
- Stigma around seeking mental health care
Most suicides are linked to psychiatric illnesses, particularly depression and substance use. Combined with high-stress work environments, these factors may contribute to the elevated risk among female doctors.
Addressing the Crisis
Medical leaders are increasingly focused on reducing burnout and improving mental health support for physicians, starting in medical school. Ensuring fair treatment for women in medicine and allowing doctors to focus on patient care—rather than bureaucratic burdens—could help improve job satisfaction and well-being.
“Paying attention to physicians’ mental health is essential,” the authors emphasize. “Correcting gender inequities remains a critical challenge.”
Related topics:
