Who cares for the clinicians? The mental health crisis in the GP workforce

Johanna Spiers, Marta Buszewicz, Carolyn Chew-Graham, Clare Gerada, David Kessler, Nick Leggett, Chris Manning, Anna Taylor, Gail Thornton, Ruth Riley

Editorial The fact that a significant proportion of the UK’s GPs are living with mental health problems has been known for some time. Studies have shown that many GPs are depressed, anxious, stressed, or ‘burnt out’ as a result of practice pressures such as organisational changes and increased workload, the negative media climate, and a sense of isolation.1 There is evidence that GPs have difficulty accessing appropriate mental health or support services,2 for reasons around availability or concerns about confidentiality. Doctors are more likely than the general population to die by suicide, with female doctors, anaesthetists, GPs, and psychiatrists being the most vulnerable.3 Some clinicians experience alcohol addiction as a result of the pressures of practice.4

DOI

10.3399/bjgp16X685765

Type

Publisher

BJGP

Publication Date

01/07/2016

Volume

66

Addresses

Project No. 282. PI: Ruth Riley

Permalink Original publication More information