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The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts among Norwegian physicians. Results from a cross-sectional survey of a nationwide sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

E. Hem ,
N.T. Grønvold ,
O.G. Aasland  and
Ø. Ekeberg
E. Hem
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo,Norway
N.T. Grønvold
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo,Norway
O.G. Aasland
Affiliation:
The Research Institute, The Norwegian Medical Association, and Centre for Health Administration, University of Oslo, Norway
Ø. Ekeberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo,Norway
*
*Correspondence and reprints: Erlend Hem, Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, University of Oslo, Box 1111 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway
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Summary

Physicians have a higher suicide rate than the general population or other academics. Little is known about the reasons for this. Analysing risk factors may be a valuable way of identifying reasons for the high suicide rate among physicians, thereby leading to preventive efforts. The present study is one of the first papers on suicidal thoughts and attempts among physicians. A questionnaire about suicidal thoughts (developed by E.S. Paykel) was completed by 1,063 of 1,476 active Norwegian physicians (72%). Lifetime prevalence ranged from 51.1% for feelings that life was not worth living to 1.6% for a suicide attempt. Risk factors were being female, living alone, and depression. Suicidal thoughts, however, were hardly attributed to working conditions. A high rate of suicide and a low rate of suicidal attempts support the hypothesis that physicians do not ‘cry for help,' but are inclined to act out their suicidal impulses.

Keywords

medical specialtyNorwayphysiciansrisk factorssuicidal ideationsuicide attempt
Type
Original Article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , May 2000 , pp. 183 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS 2000

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