Physician Suicide in Taiwan: A Nationwide Retrospective Study from 2000-2013

Occupational health in medical professionals is an emerging issue in Taiwan; however, little research has specifically focused on suicide among doctors. In this study, we examined 1780 death records in a nationwide insurance registry covering all deceased physicians from 2000–2013, defined the probability of suicide for each record, and investigated the associated risk factors. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that being male, born in China, and having a non–medical school background (special exam certified) were associated with a lower risk of suicide. A younger age at death, being born in countries other than Taiwan or China, and specialties including surgery, pathology or medical imaging, emergency, psychiatry and anesthesiology, increased the risk of suicide. After adjusting for confounders, only a young age at death was associated with a significant risk of suicide. The proportionate mortality ratios for doctors aged 25–44 years were 2.18 for males and 1.88 for females. Gas poisoning, hanging, and jumping were the most common forms of suicide among young physicians, while poisoning was most common in middle age. Our findings indicate that physicians may be more vulnerable in their early career years. Supportive interventions focusing on young physicians may promote the mental health of doctors.