Family physicians with mental disorders admitted to a physicians’ health programme: what can be learned?

Abstract

Background Family physicians (FPs) are said to be suffering from high rates of mental distress. Physicians’ health programmes (PHPs) have been developed in several countries to provide specialized care for those suffering from mental disorders. Objective To describe the profile of FPs admitted to the Integral Care Programme for Sick Physicians (PAIMM) compared to other physicians and the evolution of their referrals during a 20-year period. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1702 medical records of physicians registered at the Medical Council–Association of Barcelona and admitted to the PAIMM from 1998 to 2017. FPs represented 20% (n = 283) of all consultant-grade physicians (n = 1413). Results FPs’ admissions have increased over the years, mainly in the last decade. FPs were younger than other specialists (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96–0.99) and more likely to be women (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.89). All PAIMM physicians had a high prevalence of both adjustment and affective disorders and the prevalence of addictions has decreased in the last decade. Conclusions The increase in FPs accessing PHPs in recent years is notable; however, the reasons behind this trend require deeper analysis at the personal, professional and institutional levels.

Characteristics of resident physicians accessing a specialised mental health service: a retrospective study

“…However, besides specific stressors family physicians may be potentially exposed to compared with other specialists, it could be Open access hypothesised that tutors could also play a more effective role in promoting help seeking among them, as family medicine consultant-grade physicians are also more likely to be admitted to the programme. 41 Gender differences were not significant between groups or when comparing senior and junior residents. However, there is a higher percentage of women admitted to the programme and this may be related to several factors.…”

“…Reasons behind this finding need to be more deeply explored in the future. However, besides specific stressors family physicians may be potentially exposed to compared with other specialists, it could be hypothesised that tutors could also play a more effective role in promoting help seeking among them, as family medicine consultant-grade physicians are also more likely to be admitted to the programme 41…”

“…However, at the same time, it could be related to a lowering in the threshold of younger physician generations to tolerate distress and to cope with high job demands. On the other hand, it cannot be ignored that conditions of all physicians working at healthcare systems in Europe have worsened in recent years,41 44 45 especially following the 2008 Great Recession budget cuts.…”

Nurse admissions at a specialized mental health programme: A pre‐Covid‐19 retrospective review (2000–2019)

“…To guarantee anonymity, the names of all nurses admitted to the programme are always changed before admission, according to a specific identity concealing protocol (Braquehais et al, 2020)…”

“…To guarantee anonymity, the names of all nurses admitted to the programme are always changed before admission, according to a specific identity concealing protocol (Braquehais et al, 2020). All patients sign an informed consent form before admission accepting their treatment conditions, potential data analysis (preserving their anonymity) and other ethical issues.…”