title: Confronting depression and suicide in physicians: a consensus statement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To encourage treatment of depression and prevention of suicide in physicians by calling for a shift in professional attitudes and institutional policies to support physicians seeking help.
  
  
  METHODS
  An American Foundation for Suicide Prevention planning group invited 15 experts on the subject to evaluate the state of knowledge about physician depression and suicide and barriers to treatment. The group assembled for a workshop held October 6-7, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pa.
  
  
  METHODS
  The planning group worked with each participant on a preworkshop literature review in an assigned area. Abstracts of presentations and key publications were distributed to participants before the workshop. After workshop presentations, participants were assigned to 1 of 2 breakout groups: (1) physicians in their role as patients and (2) medical institutions and professional organizations. The groups identified areas that required further research, barriers to treatment, and recommendations for reform.
  
  
  METHODS
  This consensus statement emerged from a plenary session during which each work group presented its recommendations. The consensus statement was circulated to and approved by all participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The culture of medicine accords low priority to physician mental health despite evidence of untreated mood disorders and an increased burden of suicide. Barriers to physicians' seeking help are often punitive, including discrimination in medical licensing, hospital privileges, and professional advancement. This consensus statement recommends transforming professional attitudes and changing institutional policies to encourage physicians to seek help. As barriers are removed and physicians confront depression and suicidality in their peers, they are more likely to recognize and treat these conditions in patients, including colleagues and medical students.
authors.affiliation: Employment Law Center and the University of California, Hastings College of Law, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Center
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Detre
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hansbrough
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hendin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laszlo
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Litts
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mansky
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Proujansky
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Morton M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D018868:Insurance, Disability; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010815:Physician Impairment; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D000092864:Suicide Prevention