A survey on the burnout of French doctors in 2020 depicts a profession in crisis. Burnout, suicidal thoughts … Doctors need care.
Whether we say so, doctors are evil, too busy days, a lack of means and a feeling of helplessness. Result: burnout and suicidal thoughts. To better understand the phenomenon, not the specialized site Medscape testimonies collected in 1025. Results of this survey: in 2020, 51% of doctors claim to have symptoms of burnout and 63% of them believe that the health crisis has worsened them.
"I am appalled by the deterioration of working conditions and public assistance, a practitioner confirms in the press release attached to the investigation, and am deeply hurt by the lack of consideration of our leaders and the contempt of the administration. If I stay, it's really for patients … I do not know where we go, into the wall surely … ". Ielles are 14% to explain the severity of their symptoms could push them to leave medicine. A painful decision, most often mentioned by general practitioners (23%).
Suicidal outbreaks
The analysis also shows that nearly a third of physicians burnout have had suicidal thoughts. And only 30% had the courage to talk to a mental health professional. "The symptoms most often described by doctors who report being burned out are sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue and anxiety, reports Véronique Duqueroy, editorial director of Medscape. 38% of them place the number of hours of excessive work at the top of the factors linked to burnout. Three quarters of doctors work more than 40 hours per week. Professional burnout has, for 83% of respondents, had an impact on their personal and family relationships (divorce or not seeing your children grow up). An oncologist describes "The feeling of failure of a lifetime … the pursuit of life as a robot, unable to stop it …".
For the director, these results show that French doctors are "at the breaking point, with symptoms of major exhaustion and anxiety. As France is currently facing a second epidemic wave, it is crucial to recognize the plight of health professionals and the need to put in place support measures. "
The lack of help singled out
Doctors therefore feel alone. According to 41% of respondents, neither the employer nor the current workplace offers a program to combat stress and / or burnout. And the taboo is real, since 45% of doctors with burnout do not intend to call a psychologist. An attitude is much more common in men (55%).
If you feel overwhelmed by events, listening platforms exist such as Suicide Listen: 24/7 hotline. Phone. : 01 45 39 40 00