Implementing an Interactive Self-screening Psychological Distress Tool for Residents and Fellows.

OBJECTIVE

Physicians have equivalent rates of depression and higher rates of suicide than other professions. While death by suicide is relatively rare, it is the leading cause of death in male resident physicians and the second leading cause of death in female resident physicians. Physicians who die by suicide are less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-physicians. The authors implemented a confidential, online, interactive screening program to help residents and fellow physicians gain awareness of their mental health, with the goal of reducing physician suicide.

METHODS

The authors implemented the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Interactive Screening Program (ISP).

RESULTS

During the first 2 years of ISP implementation (May 1, 2021-April 30, 2023), all trainees in 155 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited residency and fellowship programs were invited to participate in the screening program. Of 1900 residents and fellows, 200 (10.5%) completed the self-screening tool. Of those who completed the screening, 197 (98.5%) were experiencing at least a moderate amount of distress (i.e., depressive symptoms, problems related to alcohol, drug use or eating behaviors, or indication that their symptoms made it somewhat difficult to function). The majority (161/200, 80.5%) logged back into the system to review their results and personalized recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians with psychological distress often suffer in silence. The ISP is a tool to help self-identify residents and fellows in distress and connect them to mental health resources with the goal of improving physician well-being.