Healthcare professionals, like doctors, nurses and others, are human and experience everything any other person would, including depression, burnout and suicidal thoughts and actions. They are just as vulnerable, if not more, to feelings like sadness and despair, loss of self-esteem, and may suffer from concentration problems. One of the most important differences between healthcare professionals and the other people, is that healthcare professionals take care of other people. Quality of care and patient safety may become compromised when depression is present.
The Dangers of Depressed Healthcare Professionals
I don’t want to paint a picture that every depressed healthcare professional will put patients, clients or elderly residents in danger. Everyone is different and will experience symptoms differently. They will also range in their coping skills to handle any negative emotional problems that come along. That being said, medical errors and mistakes can occur due to the symptoms of depression, burnout or any other emotional condition.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Employee Wellness? Checkout my Employee Wellness CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)
The medical community is now taking a deeper look into this issue. Health care is a stressful business and it can take a very heavy emotional toll on even the best. Some studies show that depression and medical errors have a positive relationship and as the professional becomes more depressed or burned out, the more errors will take place.
What Do Healthcare Professionals Do About Their Depression?
This is a good question and one that is being looked at more closely by experts in medicine and health care. Many professionals do not share their pain, suffering or emotions with anyone else in fear that others will think less of them. They may not want to publicly advertise what they are feeling inside. They fear the stigma that mental or emotional problems create. They also fear the possible negative consequences of sharing their problems as they may interfere with their ability to practice, work, maintain insurance, and licensure. Some fail to seek treatment. Some will make errors. Some may try to or succeed at committing suicide. Studies show that 1 out of 3 physicians is clinically depressed and around 400 doctors commit suicide every year.
Some healthcare professionals will hide any signs or symptoms from their patients because they want them to be happy and satisfied. Regardless, nurses and others may feel lethargic, indifferent, distracted and exhausted due to their symptoms and these can all interfere with good quality of care. Depressed healthcare professionals may be less satisfied with their workplace and coworkers. Depression and poor job satisfaction seem to go hand-in-hand, and some will leave their place of employment.
Final Words on Depressed Healthcare Professionals
Depression among healthcare professionals may not be on our minds on a regular basis. We like to think of them as strong, perfect and modern-day superheroes. But they are not. They are people like you and I and experience emotional and mental problems like everyone else. Depression among healthcare professionals is a serious problem because it has been shown to interfere with care, performance and safety. Hopefully the medical community will continue to focus on this growing problem and find ways to help the great men and women in healthcare.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Employee Wellness? Checkout my Employee Wellness CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)