Medics are just as likely as others to have mental-health problems and there is help for them.
One in four doctors, dentists and pharmacists – just like everyone else – will have mental-health problems at some stage. About 10 to 15 per cent of them will have a problem related to alcohol or drugs, which is again similar to the general population, according to figures from the new Practitioner Health Matters Programme (PHMP).
“Doctors are one of the most resilient groups in the healthcare system. They have low absenteeism, and sometimes they stay at work when they shouldn’t be there. The reason a specific programme was needed for doctors, dentists and pharmacists is because it’s much more difficult for them to access help. With this free programme, we want doctors to feel safe in coming forward to have their needs addressed in a non-judgemental and confidential way,” says Dr Íde DeLargy, the GP who leads the programme with a senior nurse who specialises in mental health and addiction.
Drug or alcohol abuse accounts for about half of the issues doctors need help with. Mental-health problems make up about 40 per cent and a small per centage of medical professionals abuse alcohol and drugs, according to Irish figures.
Source: Sylvia Thompson, The Irish Times, 28/09/15
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