Like millions of other viewers, I watched episode 14 of HBO’s “Pitt,” ready to dive into the popular show, which consistently provides startlingly accurate portrayals of medical care in this country. Like a double decker trauma As a general and surgical critical care surgeon, I have spent a lot of time working with emergency room staff, and like many other health care providers, I agree that Pitt has a real-life perspective on the many end-of-life stories we want to portray. mass shootingsadequate health care coverage and its impact on patients. While many of these story lines have been published and discussed in the press, it was this season and episode 14 that brought tears to my eyes as Noah Wyle’s slowly developing mental health as Dr. Michael Robinavitch. I watched on the screen an image of a 20-year experienced emergency physician who had finally faced his challenge. depressiontold a friend, “I don’t know if I want to be here anymore. This is the only place I can be (the emergency room), I have a purpose, I can be distracted there. I don’t know if I want to be anywhere else.”
I sat stunned, tears streaming down my face. Because these feelings spoken out loud reflect feelings that I am very familiar with, that I see in my colleagues, friends, and even myself. A friend of mine in residency found a doctor in our living room who cut his wrists, luckily the attempt was unsuccessful. Five years later, that friend, now a brilliant and accomplished surgeon himself, committed suicide. 300-400 doctors die in the United States commit suicide every year. Female doctors have a higher suicide rate than men; While the suicide rate for male doctors is 40% higher than the general population, the rate for female doctors is dramatically higher. will increase by 130 percent. Surgeons have the highest suicide rates among physicians. Until recently, we didn’t talk about our mental health. However, 50% of surgeons have experience worryAccording to the American College of Surgeons, depression and other mental health problems at some point in their careers. Discussing personal struggles with mental health was seen by many as a sign of weakness.
As the writing at Pitt shows, the culture is changing. Health and endurance courses are being introduced more and more surgical training helps prevent tiredness and help normalize mental health discussions. Open conversations about struggling with depression and other mental health issues are no longer seen as a sign of weakness, and our students and trainees are supported in ways previously unheard of by practicing surgeons. suffered in silence for years. Mental health is vital in an age where health care and the number of practicing surgeons are declining; 13,500 to 86,000 predicted lack of doctors By 2036, 74 percent will be surgeons.
In times of mental and physical “toughness” above all else, it remains important for us to learn to recognize signs of depression in ourselves and others. Looking back, my friend had signs of depression – we didn’t know what to look for and how to get help from him.
