Jun 4, 2020
Physicians face unique
challenges with regard to mental health but often are resistant to
seeking professional treatment. In this special crossover episode,
Guest Host Dr. Candrice
Heath (@drcandriceheath) talks with
Dr. Lorenzo Norris from the MDedge podcast Psychcast and
psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington (@drnicolepsych) about common
stressors and mental health conditions they encounter when treating
the physician population. They discuss how dermatologists can
evaluate and protect their mental health, particularly during the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. “We will have to show
ourselves some grace and realize that there are going to be some
days where we don’t do as well as we think we should do, because we
all have very high expectations for ourselves,” Dr. Washington
advises.
* *
*
We also bring you the latest
in dermatology news and research:
* * *
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Common mental health disorders in physicians
include anxiety spectrum disorder, depression, and substance use.
Burnout and demoralization often present as precursors to these
syndromes.
- Physicians have a higher suicide rate than do
the general population, with an estimated 300-400 physicians dying
by suicide each year. “If there are that many who actually
complete, how many more are there who walk around with the thoughts
daily who don’t complete? How many are there who we don’t include
in the numbers that we have as far as the anxiety and depression
and substance abuse because that relies on either them admitting to
it or seeking treatment for it? The numbers I think are much
larger,” Dr. Washington says.
- Economic uncertainty and financial stress
brought on by fewer patient visits has created new anxiety for
dermatologists that was not there before the COVID-19
pandemic.
- Some
physicians feel guilty that they are not on the front lines of the
COVID-19 pandemic. “They are feeling as if they’re watching their
peers jump in and be in the game ... and they’re kind of just
sitting on the bench. I’ve had multiple physicians talk about the
guilt that they feel or feeling as if they aren’t doing enough and
really being harder on themselves about their lack of action on the
front lines, and that is affecting their mental health,” Dr.
Washington observes.
- The
amount of work physicians have taken on to keep outpatient care
afloat during the pandemic can become a source of stress. “Many of
my colleagues, even though they’re not necessarily seeing COVID
patients, their workloads have increased tremendously ... it’s like
the volume has gone down, but the stress of everything -- and
meetings and constant information and education -- has gone up. So
I kind of like to think sometimes COVID is everywhere and it just
kind of depends on in what shape or form you have to deal with it,”
Dr. Norris points out.
- The
biggest thing dermatologists can do to protect their mental health
is to be honest about their feelings and be willing to reach out
and get professional assistance.
- Because dermatology often is perceived as the
“happiest” specialty among medical professionals, dermatologists
may not be pursuing treatment for their mental health because they
feel bad about saying they are having a hard time. “Don’t let your
circumstances or what you think people see as your circumstances
stop you from reaching out,” Dr. Washington advises.
* *
*
Hosts: Nick
Andrews; Candrice R. Heath, MD (Temple University Hospital,
Philadelphia)
Guests: Lorenzo
Norris, MD (George Washington University, Washington); Nicole
Washington, DO, MPH (Elocin Psychiatric Services)
Disclosures:
Dr. Heath reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Norris reports no
conflict of interest. Dr. Washington reports no conflict of
interest.
Show notes by:
Alicia Sonners, Melissa Sears
* * *
You can find more of our podcasts at http://www.mdedge.com/podcasts
Email the show: podcasts@mdedge.com
Interact with us on Twitter: @MDedgeDerm