In the Shadows of the Frontline
Kacper Jucha, ‘23
Doctors, and healthcare professionals in general, are regarded as some of the most vital assets to society. How then, is it possible that suicide rates among doctors is double that of the general population? In the United States, doctor suicides are counted at approximately 34 per 100,000 compared to the general population which stands at 12.3 per 100,000.These numbers are too high, they should stand at 0. What is interesting is that the individuals who help with our health are the ones who seem to require that help the most. The doctoral profession in general, suffers from high rates of burnout and stress, without the addition of having to treat pandemics and handle supply shortages (Medpage Today). In the present day, the pressure on the medical field has increased significantly especially as doctors are still grappling with the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic. These health care professionals face exhaustion and feelings of detachment due to overworking and “...being stretched impossibly thin” (CBC).
Therefore, the main question that should be considered is: how can an individual help ease the stress on medical professionals? Although this may seem odd at first, small actions can make a large difference. For example, hospitalizations significantly decrease when everyone gets their vaccinations. Vaccines have been proven to be effective, and are currently free in the US. The lack of Covid-19 cases as a result of widespread vaccinations will help to ease the strain put on medical staff, and let these professionals put more focus on treating other sicknesses and illnesses. In addition, a simple “Thank you!” and being empathetic to medical professionals can help, according to Henry Ford Health Systems. By supporting doctors, pharmacists, nurses, cleaning staff, and in general those working in the medical world, there is a chance you could save their life.
However, simply helping healthcare professionals does not solve the main problem that is causing healthcare workers to be overwhelmed. For example, “Only 1.3% of the world's health workers care for people who experience 25% of the global disease burden” (Abstract of PubMed Article). This means that a large percentage of the population depends on a small number of individuals. With this, we see that healthcare access and knowledge is at a shortage around the world. The 1.3% of doctors who care for 25% of the population, therefore carry a great amount of responsibility. Without expanded access to healthcare and medical schooling, these figures could shift even further, leading to a larger medical crisis in the future. This is only amplified by the fact that the population is consistently increasing, while the medical workforce is decreasing. Medical professionals therefore not only require proper staffing and physical help, they require mental support to function properly and perform their jobs well.
Sources:
-Shortage of healthcare workers in developing countries--Africa - PubMed (nih.gov)
-We Must Address the Mental Health Crisis Among Medical Professionals | MedPage Today
-Doctors' Suicide Rate Highest of Any Profession (webmd.com)
-More doctors suffering burnout throughout pandemic, OMA says | CBC News
-U.S. physician shortage growing | AAMC
-8 Ways You Can Support A Healthcare Hero | Henry Ford LiveWell