One doctor takes their own life each day in the US, according to a survey that shows a further one in seven have also contemplated doing so.

Burnout, mental health and suicide among Australian medical professionals have also been under the spotlight in the past few years, with a special series in 6minutes’ sister publication Australian Doctor called Doctors are Human Too highlighting a range of mental health issues impacting doctors. 

The US survey of 15,000 doctors from more than 29 specialties also reflects high levels of burnout in that country, with 44% reporting they are experiencing burnout. 

The survey included the figure that the equivalent of one doctor every day in the US commits suicide, a finding that comes from a study by researchers from Harlem Hospital Center in New York and was presented to the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting in May 2018.