Who cares for the clinicians?: The mental health crisis in the GP workforce

The fact that a significant proportion of the UK’s GPs are living with mental health problems has been known for some time. Studies have shown that many GPs are depressed, anxious, stressed, or ‘burnt out’ as a result of practice pressures such as organisational changes and increased workload, the negative media climate, and a sense of isolation.1 There is evidence that GPs have difficulty accessing appropriate mental health or support services,2 for reasons around availability or concerns about confidentiality. Doctors are more likely than the general population to die by suicide, with female doctors, anaesthetists, GPs, and psychiatrists being the most vulnerable.3 Some clinicians experience alcohol addiction as a result of the pressures of practice.4 Just as they would for any other member of the population, mental health difficulties take their toll on all aspects of GPs’ lives, including self-esteem, personal relationships, finance, work–life balance, and work performance. However, despite the clear and critical effect on GPs themselves, it is striking how frequently existing narratives suggest that physician health only matters because of its potential negative impact on patients. While doctors are encouraged to see their patients holistically, they are often not afforded the same treatment themselves.5 That doctors themselves can become patients is often overlooked,6 and there are many internal and external barriers to doctors adopting the patient role. The drive to support patients …