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The Problem of Burnout, Depression, and Suicide in Physicians: A General Overview

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Depression, Burnout and Suicide in Physicians

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Abstract

Depression, burnout, and suicide among physicians are extremely relevant topics which have been raised since the 1970s and have more recently become a significant problem to be scrutinized and constantly monitored in medical practice. In fact, while depression and suicide remain constant occupational hazards in medicine, rates of burnout are increasing for a multitude of reasons mostly related to administrative burden, inefficient workflow patterns, and increasing patient load expectations among other reasons. This is a crisis that has been recognized by many physician associations and healthcare organizations but continues to evolve, since psychological suffering of physicians is a tragedy resulting in loss for patients, families, the practice of medicine, and society. Therefore, it is necessary to create awareness and advocate for physician mental health to collectively enhance physician and patient well-being along with improved healthcare quality through medical disciplines.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Luigi Grassi

  2. Department of Medicine, Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    Daniel McFarland

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Michelle B. Riba

Authors
  1. Luigi Grassi
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  2. Daniel McFarland
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  3. Michelle B. Riba
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Luigi Grassi

  2. Department of Medicine, Northwell Health Cancer Institute Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    Daniel McFarland

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Michelle B. Riba

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Grassi, L., McFarland, D., Riba, M.B. (2022). The Problem of Burnout, Depression, and Suicide in Physicians: A General Overview. In: Grassi, L., McFarland, D., Riba, M.B. (eds) Depression, Burnout and Suicide in Physicians . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84785-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84785-2_1

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