Like millions of other viewers, I tuned into the 14th episode of “The Pitt” on HBO, ready to immerse myself in the popular show that consistently delivers accurate portrayals of the medical world in this country. As a double injury surgeon in general surgery and critical care surgery, I have spent a lot of time working alongside emergency department staff and, like many other health care providers, agree that Pitt looks at many of the story lines he wants to portray, from life care to real life. mass shootinginsufficient coverage of medical services and its impact on patients. While many of these story lines have been dissected and debated in the press, it was the mental health of Noah Wyle’s Dr. Michael Robinavich that brought tears to my eyes this season and in episode 14. I watched on the screen a picture of a 20-year-old emergency medicine doctor finally facing his illness. depressiontold a friend, “I don’t know if I want to be here anymore. It’s the only place I can (the emergency room), I have a purpose there, I can distract myself. I don’t know where else I want to be.”
I sat in shock, tears streaming down my face. Because these sentiments voiced out loud reflect feelings that I am very familiar with and have seen in my colleagues, friends, and even myself. In residency, a friend of mine found a medical resident who had cut his hands in our residency room, an attempt that was, thankfully, unsuccessful. Five years later, the same friend, now a brilliant and experienced surgeon, lost his life. 300-400 doctors die in the United States suicide every year Female physicians have higher suicide rates than males; While the suicide rate for male doctors is 40 percent higher than the general population, for female doctors the number is significantly higher. reaches 130 percent. Surgeons have some of the highest suicide rates among physicians. Until recently, we didn’t talk about our mental health. However, about 50 percent of surgeons have experience anxietydepression and other mental health problems at some point in their careers, according to the American College of Surgeons. Discussing personal struggles with mental health was seen by many as a sign of weakness.
Culture is changing, as “The Pitt” caption shows. Health and stability more and more courses are included surgical training to help prevent it burn and help normalize mental health debates. Open conversations about dealing 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 unheard of by practicing surgeons, many of whom He suffered in silence for years. Mental health is health care, and this is important at a time when the number of practicing surgeons is declining; from 13,500 to 86,000 expected lack of doctor by 2036, 74 percent will be surgeons.
For those of us who have learned from all things in times of “toughness” mentally and physically, it remains important to learn the signs of depression in ourselves and others. Looking back, the signs of my friend’s depression were there – we didn’t know what to look for or how to help her.
