Nearly 8 in 10 physicians might balk before seeking mental healthcare due to perceptions of stigma around doctors admitting they need that kind of help.   

The ratios are similar for residents and medical students. And the findings are especially troubling given the portions of all three groups saying they often have feelings of burnout (60%, 60% and 70%, respectively).

So reports the Physicians Foundation after surveying 1,113 physicians, 501 residents and 500 medical students in June.

The findings summary shows physician burnout has plateaued at 6 in 10 over the past few years after rising from 4 in 10 in 2018.

Other key findings:          

• More than half of medical students (55%) have felt hopeless or that they have no purpose. This is well north of such feelings among residents (43%) and physicians (34%).
   
• Just under half of physicians (48%) and residents (48%)—and more than half of medical students (55%)—said they know a colleague or peer who said they would not seek mental healthcare. 
   
• Only 31% of physicians agree that their workplace culture prioritizes physician wellbeing. That’s down from 36% a year ago. 
   
• Among the 30% or so of physicians who have been through a merger or acquisition over the past five years, only one-fifth had a hand in any part of the decision.
   
• Just 11% to 16% of physicians, residents and medical students believe private-equity funding is good for the future of healthcare.

Also of note, at least half of physicians and residents feel that nonclinical duties—insurance requirements, documentation protocols, regulatory policies, mandatory training requirements—often or always work against their mission to deliver high-quality and cost-efficient care.

Commenting on the findings, Gary Price, MD, president of the Physicians Foundation, says “systemic change must happen now to help improve the future of medicine,” noting that Sept. 17 was National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. “We hope everyone will join us in our urgent call to support physicians in creating a healthcare system that is strong and sustainable.”

The announcement also quotes Corey Feist, JD, MBA, co-founder and president of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.

“Ensuring the wellbeing of physicians, medical students and residents demands cultural and systemic changes,” Feist says. “We envision a future where seeking mental health services is universally viewed as a sign of strength for the physicians of today and tomorrow.”

Announcement with links here, survey report summary here, full survey report PDF here.