Suicide rates among physicians compared with the general population in studies from 20 countries: gender stratified systematic review and meta-analysis (21 August 2024)

Summary

Physicians are one of several occupational groups linked to a higher risk of death by suicide, and the medical community has a longstanding and often conflicted history in addressing this issue. This study aimed to perform an appraisal of the currently available evidence on suicide deaths in male and female physicians compared with the general population. The results of this study suggest that across different physician populations, the suicide risk is decreasing compared with the general population, although it remains raised for female physicians.