title: An assessment of the mental health of physicians specializing in the field of child neurology.
abstract: We assessed physicians working in the field of child neurology with the aim of improving the physicians' mental health. Our questionnaire included a burnout inventory and a general health questionnaire. We analyzed 29 responses from physicians in a variety of countries obtained through the Internet. According to their responses, 8 (27.5%) of the respondents had attained a burnout status, and 27 respondents (93.1%) had neurotic conditions. We found a greater percentage of physicians in poor mental health than we had found previously in assessments made in Japan. However, the respondents in the present survey had more positive styles for coping with stress. The length of time working as a physician affected respondents in Japan and internationally, whereas nationality or working environment (workplace, night shifts, and so on) did not. Consultants or mentors on work and assertive stress coping would be effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horiguchi
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaga
authors.forename: Masumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inagaki
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uno
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lasky
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hecox
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D009462:Neurology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012944:Social Support; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce