Impact of hospital consultants' poor mental health on patient care

Br J Psychiatry. 2007 Mar:190:268-9. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.023234.

Abstract

In a survey of 1794 UK NHS hospital consultants 1308 (73%) responded. Psychiatric morbidity (General Health Questionnaire-12 score > or =4) was present in 32% of responders, who were twice as likely to report drinking hazardous levels of alcohol, being irritable with patients and colleagues, reducing their standards of care and intending to retire early (all P < 0.001). Male and mid-aged consultants were also particularly at risk. Approaches that support consultants to practice medicine safely throughout their careers are required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Consultants
  • Delivery of Health Care / standards*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Male
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / standards*
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Mental Disorders*
  • Middle Aged
  • Physician Impairment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Regression Analysis
  • Retirement
  • United Kingdom