Almost 40% of doctors considering their future in healthcare due to mental health concerns

Muireann Duffy

Over one third of doctors are considering their future in healthcare due to concerns over their mental health, a new survey has revealed.

Research by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) found 38 per cent are considering their career in medicine because of the strain on their mental health, while two in five (40 per cent) said their mental health is worse now than it was during the Covid pandemic.

Of the 900 doctors surveyed, 43 per cent said the impact of exhaustion on patient safety is affecting their mental well-being, with other factors being the inability to take breaks to eat and drink (36 per cent) and not being able to do the right thing for their patients (33 per cent).

An overwhelming majority (82 per cent) said staff shortages mean it is difficult to take time off to deal with mental health issues, while almost three quarters said the Government could do more to address the issue.

'Things must change'

Some doctors also commented anonymously, with one stating they were "leaving hospital medicine due to regular breach of contract regarding working hours, constant staff shortage and general burnout".

Another added: "I have left day-to-day General Practice prematurely due to the medico-legal pressures, lack of resources, increased patient demand, more complex guidelines to adhere to, and lack of support.

"Effectively we are being 'Hung out to dry'. Things must change significantly if we are to retain a viable primary care workforce."

The MPS, which supports 16,000 healthcare professionals in Ireland, said the results show action needs to be taken to retain doctors who are on the verge of quitting due to the toll on their mental health.

"Clearly many healthcare professionals in Ireland are becoming increasingly exhausted and disillusioned due to the variety of challenges and pressures they face daily – pressures which unfortunately will take some time to resolve," medicolegal consultant at MPS Dr Rachel Birch said.

"When mental well-being is poor, it is worrying for the individual, but can also jeopardise patient care. Without support, mental well-being issues can result in doctors needing extended periods of time off work or considering leaving the healthcare profession altogether."