Suicide in Doctors: a Study of Risk According to Gender, Seniority and Speciality in Medical Practitioners in England and Wales, 1979-1995

This study investigated the suicide risk of doctors in England & Wales, according to gender, seniority, & speciality during the period 1979-1995. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. 223 medical practitioners who died by suicide or undetermined cause were identified. The annual suicide rates in male & female doctors were 19.2 & 18.8 per 100,000 respectively. The absolute suicide risk was similar in males & females. There were significant differences between specialities, with anaethetists, community health doctors, general practitioners, & psychiatrists having significantly increased rates compared with doctors in general hospital medicine. There were no differences with regard to seniority & time period. (22 refs.)