Mental health of Brazilian physicians: a nationwide cross-sectional study to investigate factors associated with the prevalence of suicide plans and attempts

Abstract

Objective: To report on suicide plans and attempts among Brazilian physicians and to investigate the associated risk factors. Methods: From January 2018 to January 2019, a nationwide online survey was conducted among Brazilian physicians using the Tool for Assessment of Suicide Risk and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Multivariate exploratory associations of demographic, psychological, and work-related factors were performed on reports of suicide plans and attempts. Results: Of the 4,148 participants, 1,946 (53.5%) were male, 2,527 (60.9%) were 30 to 60 years old, 2,675 (64.5%) had two to four jobs, and 1,725 (41.6%) worked 40 to 60 hours a week. The overall prevalence of suicide plans was 8.8% (n=364), and suicide attempts were reported by 3.2% (n=133) of participants. Daily emotional exhaustion (ORadj = 7.857; 95%CI 2.282-27.051, p = 0.002), weekly emotional exhaustion (ORadj = 7.953; 95%CI 2.403-26.324, p = 0.001), daily frustration at work (ORadj = 3.093; 95%CI 1.711-5.588, p < 0.001), and bisexuality (ORadj = 5.083; 95%CI 2.544-10.158, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher odds of suicide. Extremely dissatisfied physicians reported suicide plans and attempts in 38.3% of cases, whereas extremely satisfied physicians reported suicide plans and attempts in only 2.8% of cases (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Brazilian physicians with a history of suicide plans and attempts express emotional exhaustion and frustration at work. There is an urgent need for actions to promote professional safeguards and resilience.

Keywords

• Suicide
• self-injurious behavior
• suicidal ideation
• physicians