Abstract
Professional burnout and mental health vulnerabilities, like depression and suicidal ideation, are significant concerns affecting practicing physicians and trainees. Professional burnout can impact a physician’s health and quality of life, the quality of care they provide, and their productivity and workforce participation. Although psychiatrists appear to be less affected by burnout than physicians from many other specialties, research shows they are at higher risk for depression and suicide. However, opportunities exist to enhance psychiatrist well-being through further research, increased education and providing evidence-based interventions. Moreover, psychiatrists are in an ideal position to provide expertise and knowledge to others in the health care profession, especially in distinguishing between burnout and depression and the best approaches to both conditions. The APA convened the Ad-hoc Workgroup on Physician Well-being and Burnout to make recommendations on the development of activities and products to facilitate APA’s focus on well-being and burnout.
