Suicidal Ideation Among Students and Physicians at a U.S. Medical School

A Healer Education, Assessment and Referral (Hear) Program Report

Datos Bibliográficos

ID13628180
AutoresSidney Zisook (0000-0003-3341-9185, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA, autor de correspondencia), Ilanit Tal Young (Veterans Medical Research Foundation of San Diego), Ilanit Young (The Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and Veterans Medical and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA, USA), Neal Doran (0000-0003-2825-6318, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA), Nancy Downs (0000-0001-6000-3930, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA), Allison Hadley (0000-0003-4134-2501, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA), Brittany Kirby (Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA), Tara McGuire (Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA), Christine Moutier (0000-0002-3826-7160, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, New York, NY, USA), William A Norcross (0000-0001-8037-6603, University of California San Diego), William Norcross (Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA), Maria Tiamson‐Kassab (Veterans Medical Research Foundation of San Diego), Maria Tiamson-Kassab (The Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and Veterans Medical and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA, USA)
Año2016
Volumen74
Número1
Páginas35-61
Fecha de publicación2016-07-15
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0030222815598045
OpenAlexW2395342457
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas31

Physicians are among the highest risk groups for suicide, and emerging data suggest this risk begins early in medical training. We describe a screening program at one medical center for identifying and referring physicians and students who may be at risk for suicide, and we explore differences between groups with respect to depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation (SI) and behaviors, and utilization of mental health resources. Over a 5-year period (May 2009–August 2014), we invited 1,134 medical students, 1,380 house staff (residents and fellows), and 1,922 faculty to complete an anonymous web-based “stress” questionnaire including items about depression symptoms, SI and behaviors, emotional distress features, drinking and drug-use behaviors, problematic eating, and utilization of treatments for depression and anxiety. Response rates among each group ranged from 17% (house staff) to 33% (students). Overall, 7% to 10% of respondents met criteria for a current major depressive syndrome, and 9% to 11% of respondents endorsed current SI. Similarities in depression severity and SI between groups far outweighed differences. The following were the four unique predictors of SI: presence of moderately severe or severe depressive symptoms, impairment, hopelessness, and past attempts. Only 17% of those endorsing current SI were taking antidepressant medication, and only 12% were receiving psychotherapy. However, 16% accepted referrals provided through this program. Increased efforts at education and destigmatization, outreach, assessment, and treatment at medical schools are essential. Our educational and screening program is one model others might employ to work toward this goal, though it is likely that additional outreach methods are needed

Anxiety · Depression (economics · Distress · Family medicine · Medical emergency · Mental health · Outreach · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies