The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts among Norwegian physicians. Results from a cross-sectional survey of a nationwide sample

Physicians have a higher suicide rate than the general population or other academics. Little is known about the reasons for this. Analysing risk facto rs may be a valuable way of identifying reasons for the high suicide rate a mong physicians, thereby leading to preventive efforts. The present study i s one of the first papers on suicidal thoughts and attempts among physician s. A questionnaire about suicidal thoughts (developed by E.S. Paykel) was c ompleted by 1,063 of 1,476 active Norwegian physicians (72%). Lifetime prev alence ranged from 51.1% for feelings that life was not worth living to 1.6 % for a suicide attempt. Risk factors were being female, living alone, and depression. Suicidal thoughts, however, were hardly attributed to working c onditions. A high rate of suicide and a low rate of suicidal attempts suppo rt the hypothesis that physicians do not 'cry for help,' but are inclined t o act out their suicidal impulses. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medic ales Elsevier SAS.