Depression and Substance Use Disorders in Physicians

Increasing evidence shows that physicians have a higher prevalence of common mental disorders compared with the general population and other professions. These include symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. A wide range of factors in their workplace likely contributes to elevated levels of burnout and mental disorders. These include ever-increasing workload and administrative responsibilities, pressure of patient care in a world of consumer-based health care, institutional demands for economic growth, long and irregular working hours, as well as a poor work-life balance. Broader systemic issues in medicine, such as stigma, regulatory practices and restrictions, and concerns around confidentiality, also affect the culture and workplace of physicians and may pose a significant barrier to help-seeking or disclosure through traditional intervention pathways. Although limited in scope, literature on substance use disorders in physicians suggests that these disorders are a common, and arguably under-recognized, phenomenon with potentially severe consequences. Alcohol use disorder appears to be by far the most prevalent problem, and some specialties may be at higher risk than others.