Measuring Our Values – Redoubling on a Commitment to Physician Health

Among the most telling statistics, suicide is the second leading cause of resident physician death. Growing health care costs, worsening physician shortages, along with a growing population needing health care, are factors to rethink in providing valuable physician training programs. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that surveyed residency programs. Policies that allowed “flexible” duty hours (did not specify limits on shift length or mandatory time off between shifts) had negative impacts on overall well-being. Efforts should be made to ensure that trainees have the flexibility in their schedules to access mental health resources. The organizational and systemic factors that contribute to adverse mental health outcomes is a primary focus for physicians at all levels.