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Cited by 662Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnoutSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesMental Health Treatment and Access

Confronting Depression and Suicide in Physicians: A Consensus Statement

Center, Claudia, Davis, Miriam, Detre, Thomas, Ford, Daniel E., Hansbrough, Wendy, Hendin, Herbert, Laszlo, John, Litts, David A. +7 more·2003·JAMA
DOI 10.1001/jama.289.23.3161
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To encourage treatment of depression and prevention of suicide in physicians by calling for a shift in professional attitudes and institutional policies to support physicians seeking help. PARTICIPANTS: An American Foundation for Suicide Prevention planning group invited 15 experts on the subject to evaluate the state of knowledge about physician depression and suicide and barriers to treatment. The group assembled for a workshop held October 6-7, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pa. EVIDENCE: The planning group worked with each participant on a preworkshop literature review in an assigned area. Abstracts of presentations and key publications were distributed to participants before the workshop. After workshop presentations, participants were assigned to 1 of 2 breakout groups: (1) physicians in their role as patients and (2) medical institutions and professional organizations. The groups identified areas that required further research, barriers to treatment, and recommendations for reform. CONSENSUS PROCESS: This consensus statement emerged from a plenary session during which each work group presented its recommendations. The consensus statement was circulated to and approved by all participants. CONCLUSIONS: The culture of medicine accords low priority to physician mental health despite evidence of untreated mood disorders and an increased burden of suicide. Barriers to physicians' seeking help are often punitive, including discrimination in medical licensing, hospital privileges, and professional advancement. This consensus statement recommends transforming professional attitudes and changing institutional policies to encourage physicians to seek help. As barriers are removed and physicians confront depression and suicidality in their peers, they are more likely to recognize and treat these conditions in patients, including colleagues and medical students.

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  • Mental Health First Aid training has been introduced in several countries and subpopulations, but so far has not consistently produced stigma-reduction sustained beyond six months after the training.

    “This program has been introduced in several countries and subpopulations, but so far has not consistently produced stigma-reduction sustained beyond six months after the training. 364”

    From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [364]

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Authors
Center, C., Davis, M., Detre, T., Ford, D. E., Hansbrough, W., Hendin, H., Laszlo, J., Litts, D. A., Mann, J., Mansky, P. A., Michels, R., Miles, S. H., Proujansky, R., Reynolds III, C. F., & Silverman, M. M.
Affiliations
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
  • George Washington University (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • American Cancer Society (US)
  • United States Department of Health and Human Services (US)
  • Columbia University (US)
  • Medical Society of the State of New York (US)
  • Cornell University (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
ORCID
Venue
JAMA
Publisher
American Medical Association (AMA)
Published
2003-06-18
Volume
289
Issue
23
Pages
3161
ISSN
  • 0002-9955 (ISSN-L)
  • 0098-7484
DOI
10.1001/jama.289.23.3161
OpenAlex
W2092771645
Cited by
661
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 57 · 2018: 51 · 2017: 45 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 20
FWCI
21.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • JAMA (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords
physician depression, suicide prevention, physician mental health, barriers to treatment, help-seeking, stigma, institutional policy, professional attitudes, medical licensing, hospital privileges, mood disorders
MeSH terms
Suicide Prevention, Adult, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Licensure, Medical, Male, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Physician Impairment, Physicians, Primary Health Care, Risk Factors, Schools, Medical, United States, Insurance, Disability

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