Mental health of 40% of doctors worse now than during covid
43% point to the impact of exhaustion on patient safety in the survey carried out by the Medical Protection Society.
Two-in-five doctors in Ireland (40%) say their mental health is worse now than it was during the pandemic.
A similar amount (38%) are also considering their future in healthcare due to mental health concerns.
The findings of a survey carried out by the Medical Protection Society, published today at the organisation's annual medical conference in Dublin, show that a third of the 900 doctors surveyed (33%) say not being able to do the right thing for patients, or ‘moral injury’, is affecting their current mental health.
Others point to the impact of exhaustion on patient safety (43%) and the inability to take breaks to eat and drink (36%).
More than four-in-five doctors (82%) go on to say that staff shortages make it difficult for them to take time off to deal with mental health issues, and nearly three quarters (74%) feel the Government could do more to help doctors with mental health issues.
One doctor who participated in MPS’ survey said: “I took early retirement last year as I could not continue full time, getting burnt out and afraid I might do something I would regret.”
Another said: “Leaving hospital medicine due to regular breach of contract regarding working hours, constant staff shortage and general burnout."
A third said:
Speaking at the MPS conference, Medicolegal Consultant at MPS, Dr Rachel Birch said: “Clearly many healthcare professionals in Ireland are becoming increasingly exhausted and disillusioned due to the variety of challenges and pressures they face daily—pressures which unfortunately will take some time to resolve.
“When mental wellbeing is poor, it is worrying for the individual, but can also jeopardise patient care. Without support, mental wellbeing issues can result in doctors needing extended periods of time off work or considering leaving the healthcare profession altogether. This is the last thing we need.”
Dr Birch also encouraged doctors to attend to their own mental health to ensure they continue to perform at their best for patients.
She also warned doctors to avoid self-assessing their mental health and advised them to attend their own GP to “ensure they are properly cared for”.
She said: “The reality is that swathes of passionate, committed doctors, who we must retain in the workforce, are on the verge of quitting due to mental health concerns. Doing nothing is simply not an option.”
She concluded by urging healthcare professionals who are struggling to make use of the mental wellbeing resources available to them. The MPS survey was completed by 882 doctors in Ireland. The survey was in the field from July 18 to August 18, 2023.
