Leo Sher, M.D.

A research article, “National incidence of physician suicide and associated features” has been published in JAMA Psychiatry (1). The aim of the study was to estimate the national incidence of male and female physician suicide and analyze associated factors, comparing findings to the general population.

This retrospective cohort study investigated suicides among physicians and nonphysicians aged 25 years and older in the U.S. from January 2017 to December 2021. The authors used data from the National Violent Death Reporting System from 30 U.S. states and Washington, DC. A total of 448 physician (79% male and 21% female) and 97,467 general population (76,697 male and 20,770 female) suicides were identified.

Female physicians had higher rates of suicide than female nonphysicians in 2017 and 2019, with overall higher 2017 to 2021 suicide risk. Male physicians had lower 2017 to 2021 suicide risk than male nonphysicians. Compared to the general population and including all available jurisdiction data, physicians had higher odds of depressed mood as well as mental health, job, and legal problems preceding suicide as well as use of poisoning and sharp instruments. Physicians also had higher odds of positive toxicology for caffeine; poison; cardiovascular agents; benzodiazepines; anxiolytics, nonbenzodiazepines, or hypnotics; and drugs not prescribed for home use.

The authors state that their findings on preceding circumstances to suicide are in agreement with previous studies showing physician suicides had higher odds of depressed mood, mental health issues, and job problems. The authors also suggest that comprehensive suicide prevention strategies are warranted for physicians, with proactive consideration for those experiencing mental health issues, job problems, legal issues, and diversion investigations.

Reference

1. Makhija H, Davidson JE, Lee KC, Barnes A, Choflet A, Zisook S. National incidence of physician suicide and associated features. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025 Feb 26:e244816. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4816. Epub ahead of print.