Skip to main content

Study: Many Physicians Reluctant to Seek Mental Healthcare

News  |  By Residency Program Insider  
   October 18, 2017

Physicians were more likely to be reluctant to seek help in states with initial licensure and renewal applications that inquired about past conditions.

This article was originally published in Residency Program Insider, October 13, 2017.

Nearly 40% of physicians are reluctant to seek formal medical care for mental health conditions due to concerns it would affect their medical licensure, according to a recent study by the Mayo Clinic.

As part of their study, researchers reviewed the results of a survey of nearly 6,000 physicians on care-seeking attitudes for mental health problems.

Researchers also examined initial licensure and renewal applications from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to see if they contained questions about applicants’ current impairments from mental health conditions. Two-thirds of states’ applications inquire about past conditions, not just current ones. In those states, physicians were more likely to be reluctant to seek help.

Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Residency Program Insider is a complimentary weekly e-mail newsletter that keeps residency program directors, coordinators, graduate medical education personnel, and residents up-to-date on the most important issues in residency. It brings expert advice, best practice strategies, and news to make their jobs easier.


Get the latest on healthcare leadership in your inbox.