Study: Sex Differences in Physician Suicide
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By
March 19, 2025
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3 min
A recent study analyzing physician suicide incidence in the U.S. found that female physicians had a higher suicide risk than female nonphysicians from 2017 to 2021, while male physicians had a lower overall risk compared to male nonphysicians during the same period. The study highlighted the importance of addressing occupational stressors, mental health concerns, and access to lethal means, especially for female physicians.
1. Female physicians had a 53% higher suicide risk than female nonphysicians from 2017 to 2021. 2. Male physicians had a significantly lower overall risk compared to male nonphysicians during the same period. 3. Occupational stressors, mental health concerns, and access to lethal means should be addressed in suicide prevention strategies for physicians. 4. Female physicians had a higher suicide risk than female nonphysicians before the COVID-19 pandemic. 5. Both male and female physicians had higher suicide incidence per 100,000 person-years before vs after COVID-19. 6. Physicians had higher odds of experiencing depressed mood, mental health issues, job-related stress, and legal problems prior to suicide. 7. Female physicians had a significantly higher risk of suicide than female nonphysicians in 2017 and 2019, with an overall increased risk from 2017 to 2021. 8. The study emphasized the importance of addressing occupational stressors, mental health concerns, and access to lethal means, particularly for female physicians.
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