Appeal to all Senior doctors to take care of their Juniors
New Delhi: The recent unfortunate death of Ms Pamposh an MBBS intern in Amritsar has once again highlighted the important fact that medical students, resident doctors and practising physicians are under deep stress and are extremely vulnerable parts of society to mental health issues even leading to repeated incidences of suicides.
In a recent study (Suicide deaths among medical students, residents and physicians in India) then at various medical colleges from 2010-2020, more than 350 suicide deaths have been noted among medical students (<125) and resident doctors (< 1105) and physicians (< 128).
All these deaths are among doctors before the age of 30 years and among the toppers and the most brilliant top 5% of the brain of the country. Each one of them could have topped any profession and could have excelled in their professional life but the stress of the medical profession has caused these unfortunate suicides and loss of productive life.
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Among the specialities, the specialities of Anesthesia are the most stressful and the incidence of suicide i.e, 22% of suicides are among students, residents & physicians of Anesthesia followed by the students & residents of OBG/Gynae i.e, 16%. This particular pattern is also related to the stress of the speciality and the stress of the senior’s behaviour in the particular speciality.
Violent suicide methods are more common than “Hanging” among students, physicians and residents and most of them are living a lonely life in the hostels.
Academic stress among the students – career expectations & difficulties in achievements and behavioural issues in the residents and matrimonial discord among the female physicians are the most noticeable reason for suicide. Mental health problems are becoming rampant among students & physicians and harassment at the workplace is the most common cause of suicide among students/Physicians/Residents.
All these suicide deaths are among the most illustrated section of society because of the preventable issues & that can be avoided. “What is the most important issue of intervention is to understand and modify the behaviour of doctors among the doctors”?
It is hence important that all physicians be respectful to their younger colleagues and give them an environment of growth rather than scolding and denigrating them for any cause.
Let all senior doctors take some time today to call the juniors only and encourage them for their efforts to serve society.
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The author is the President of the Indian Medical Congress, a national organisation of doctors in the country
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