Mental Health And Well-Being: Addressing The Growing Need For Mental Health Support For Doctors

Being a doctor is a rewarding but demanding profession. Doctors face many challenges and pressures in their everyday work. Starting from long working hours to a never-ending workload, dealing with complex cases, confronting and resolving ethical dilemmas, and also meeting theirs as well as the emotional demands of their near and dear ones.

Rampant mental health problems among doctors are not a surprising incident. According to a recent survey by the BMAmore than 40% of doctors reported experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, burnout, or stress during the pandemic.

Sadly, many doctors refrain from seeking help or disclosing their mental health difficulties. This could be due to the shame, guilt, or fear of being judged or discriminated against by their colleagues, employers, or regulators. Further, this could also be due to the lack of time or access to appropriate mental health services or support. As a result, they may suffer in silence or resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or substance misuse.

This can lead to serious consequences for both doctors and their patients. Doctors’ mental health problems can impair their cognitive functioning, decision-making, communication skills, and empathy. This can affect their performance, patient safety, quality of care, and professional satisfaction.

Therefore, it is vital to address the mental health needs of doctors and to provide them with adequate and accessible support.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Doctors’ Mental Health And Well-Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the work life of doctors in many ways and posed unprecedented challenges and stressors for them. Some of these are:

Increased workload

Doctors have to deal with a large number of patients, many of whom are critically ill or require intensive care. They also have to cope with staff shortages, lack of personal protective equipment, frequent changes in protocols and guidelines, and increased administrative tasks.

Exposure to infection

Doctors are at a high risk of contracting the virus or transmitting it to their families or other patients. They may face anxiety, fear or guilt about getting infected or infecting others. They may also experience physical symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue or loss of taste or smell.

Ethical dilemmas

Doctors may have to make difficult decisions about who gets access to limited resources such as ventilators, beds, or drugs. They may also have to provide end-of-life care or withhold treatment from patients who have a low chance of survival. These decisions can cause moral distress, conflict, or regret.

Grief and trauma

Doctors may witness a lot of suffering and death among their patients and colleagues. They may have to deal with the emotional impact of losing patients they have cared for or colleagues they have worked with. They may also have to cope with the grief of their patients’ families or their own families.

How the pandemic has impacted doctors’ work and personal lives

The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the personal lives and well-being of doctors in countless ways. These factors also contribute to the overall mental health and well-being of the doctor and force them to suffer in silence.

Isolation and reduced social support

Doctors may have to isolate themselves from their friends, relatives or communities to prevent the spread of the virus or to protect their loved ones. They may also have less time or opportunity to socialize or engage in leisure activities. This can lead to loneliness, boredom or loss of connection.

Family separation and childcare issues

Doctors may have to live apart from their families or limit their contact with them to avoid exposing them to the virus. They may also need help finding or affording childcare services for their children, especially if schools or nurseries are closed. This can cause stress, guilt, or resentment.

Financial worries

Doctors may face financial challenges due to reduced income, increased expenses, or job insecurity. They may have to work extra hours, take pay cuts, or face furloughs or layoffs. They may also have to spend more on transportation, accommodation, food or medical supplies. This can affect their budget, savings or lifestyle.

Rx for doctor’s mental health: Coping mechanisms

Let’s take a look at some ways how doctors can cope with stress and manage their mental health.

Peer support and mutual aid

Doctors have formed or joined peer support groups or networks to share their experiences, feelings, and advice with colleagues who understand their challenges and needs. For example, the BMA has launched a confidential peer support service for doctors and medical students during the pandemic. Peer support can help doctors feel less isolated, more validated, and more resilient.

Self-care strategies

Doctors have tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a balance between work and personal life by taking care of their physical, emotional, and social needs. For example, they have followed a healthy diet, exercised regularly, slept well, and practiced good hygiene. They have also engaged in hobbies, leisure activities, or relaxation techniques that bring them joy, calm, or satisfaction.

Online platforms or apps

Doctors have used online platforms or apps that offer mental health information, resources or counseling. For example, they have accessed websites that provide reliable and updated information on COVID-19, such as the WHO or the CDC. They have also used apps that offer self-help tools, such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy or positive psychology. They have also sought online or phone-based counseling or therapy from professional services, such as NHS Practitioner Health or Doctor Care Anywhere³⁴.

In a nutshell

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance and urgency of addressing the mental health needs of doctors. Doctors face many challenges and stressors in their work and personal lives that can affect their mental health and well-being. However, they also have many strengths and resources to help them cope and thrive.

Some of the major mental health needs of doctors in different contexts and stages of their careers formed the premise of this blog.