Now that the clocks have changed and the nights are drawing in, CCS Foot Care…
Alarming Number Of Doctors Experiencing Mental Health Issues
This week we are proud to be working with the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF) to raise awareness of the need to offer support to doctors throughout the UK who are currently working under increasing difficulty.
As part of the campaign ‘What’s Up Doc’, we are releasing the results of a new survey to the media which highlights the overwhelming concern amongst doctors about the state of their mental health and wellbeing as a result of working under increasing scrutiny and pressure. The survey finds that 82% of doctors know of other doctors experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Yet despite their need for support and advice, this ‘insider knowledge’ also revealed that doctors are unlikely to reach out for fear of discrimination or stigma from colleagues (84%) or are inhibited by their ‘high achieving’ personality traits (66%).
Survey respondents were also asked to identify the key factors contributing to the growing pressures on doctors today. It found that:
– 80% say patient case-loads are a key factor
– 80% say increased scrutiny is an issue (CQC inspections, pressure of revalidation, etc.)
– 76% say working hours are a factor
Worrying, of those doctors surveyed the majority (66%) felt that the NHS provided a poor level of support to doctors and their families. As part of the initiative, the charity has developed a free downloadable online guide for healthcare professionals called ‘The Vital Signs’. Authored by Oxford GP Dr Richard Stevens, coach at Thames Valley Health Education England, the guide highlights key pressure trigger points for doctors, and signposts organisations and support networks for those in need of help and advice.
For more information and to download ‘The Vital Signs’ visit: www.rmbf.org.
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