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Rachel V Thomas

Doctors Must Speak More Openly About Their Mental Health, Says LiverDoc

Doctors Must Speak More Openly About Mental Health, Says LiverDoc

<span>Mental health</span> issues among doctors remain a serious but rarely discussed concern within the medical community, said Dr. <span>Cyriac Abby Philips</span>, popularly known on social media as the <span>LiverDoc</span>.

In an exclusive interaction with HealthandMe, the noted hepatologist highlighted the rising cases of burnout, depression, and suicide among healthcare professionals and the urgent need to address them.

He stated that doctors are among the major communities affected by mental health disorders, although the topic is often ignored within the profession.

“We have had very senior doctors die by suicide because of burnout,” he said, citing incidents involving highly successful doctors recently reported from parts of India, including Kerala.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Mental Health Of Doctors</span> Impacts Patient Care</h2>

Liver Doc stressed that addressing doctors’ mental health is as important as treating patients’ mental health.

“A doctor who has good mental health will be a much better ally for the patient when it comes to treatment,” he said.

He also urged the medical community and regulatory authorities to introduce more interventions and support systems to prevent burnout and mental health disorders among doctors.

According to him, the emotional burden of treating critically ill patients and witnessing deaths regularly can deeply affect healthcare professionals.

“It’s depressing to treat patients and see them die. It’s depressing to see another human die,” he said.

The expert noted that doctors should find ways to openly discuss and process emotional stress and mental health struggles.

<h2>New Book On Burnout And Emotional Stress </h2>

It's Depressing To See Patients Die: LiverDoc

Dr. Philips also addressed the issue in his recently released book, The <span>Liver Doctor: Stories of Love</span>, Loss and Regeneration.

He told HealthandMe that he has “very thoroughly and in very raw format addressed in the book” the mental health disorders affecting doctors, as it directly impacts patient care.

“Like every other doctor, I have also gone through that, and it's depressing to treat patients and see them die. I have this book to channelize that, and I feel less burdened when I do that, but other doctors also should find ways to do this. So this book also tells doctors to be more open about their mental health,” he said.

Doctors in teaching hospitals often endure long, unregulated shifts with little time for rest, especially during residency. Such exhausting work conditions not only increase the risk of medical errors but also significantly contribute to burnout, emotional exhaustion, and mental health problems among young doctors.

As per a recent nationwide survey on doctors’ mental health and morale, nine in ten doctors said they would not want their children to become physicians.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/mental-disorder-has-doubled-in-33-years-its-affecting-1-2-billion-lives-throughout-the-world-article-154376268" data-type="tilCustomLink">Global Mental Disorders Double In 33 Years, Affecting 1.2 Billion People: Study</a>

The study, conducted by the Debabrata Mitalee Auro Foundation, surveyed 1,208 doctors across metropolitan cities and smaller towns over six months and found deep levels of burnout, fear of violence, and rising medico-legal anxiety among medical professionals.

<h2>Parliamentary Panel Flags Excessive Duty Hours</h2>

Further, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare also raised concerns over “excessive continuous duty hours” for junior and senior resident doctors in April.

In its latest report, the panel warned that fatigue-driven errors and burnout could compromise care.

The Panel recommended that the government introduce and strictly enforce a formal “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy. This would mandate fixed rest periods and monitored duty rosters, with oversight mechanisms to prevent violations.

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Mental health issues among doctors remain a serious but rarely discussed concern within the medical community, said Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known on social media as the LiverDoc.In an exclusive interaction with HealthandMe, the noted hepatologist highlighted the rising cases of burnout, depression, and suicide among healthcare professionals and the urgent need to address them.He stated that doctors are among the major communities affected by mental health disorders, although the topic is often ignored within the profession.“We have had very senior doctors die by suicide because of burnout,” he said, citing incidents involving highly successful doctors recently reported from parts of India, including Kerala.Mental Health Of Doctors Impacts Patient CareLiver Doc stressed that addressing doctors’ mental health is as important as treating patients’ mental health.“A doctor who has good mental health will be a much better ally for the patient when it comes to treatment,” he said.He also urged the medical community and regulatory authorities to introduce more interventions and support systems to prevent burnout and mental health disorders among doctors.According to him, the emotional burden of treating critically ill patients and witnessing deaths regularly can deeply affect healthcare professionals.“It’s depressing to treat patients and see them die. It’s depressing to see another human die,” he said.The expert noted that doctors should find ways to openly discuss and process emotional stress and mental health struggles.New Book On Burnout And Emotional Stress    Dr. Philips also addressed the issue in his recently released book, The Liver Doctor: Stories of Love, Loss and Regeneration.He told HealthandMe that he has “very thoroughly and in very raw format addressed in the book” the mental health disorders affecting doctors, as it directly impacts patient care.“Like every other doctor, I have also gone through that, and it's depressing to treat patients and see them die. I have this book to channelize that, and I feel less burdened when I do that, but other doctors also should find ways to do this. So this book also tells doctors to be more open about their mental health,” he said.Deep Burnout Among DoctorsDoctors in teaching hospitals often endure long, unregulated shifts with little time for rest, especially during residency. Such exhausting work conditions not only increase the risk of medical errors but also significantly contribute to burnout, emotional exhaustion, and mental health problems among young doctors.As per a recent nationwide survey on doctors’ mental health and morale, nine in ten doctors said they would not want their children to become physicians.Also read: Global Mental Disorders Double In 33 Years, Affecting 1.2 Billion People: StudyThe study, conducted by the Debabrata Mitalee Auro Foundation, surveyed 1,208 doctors across metropolitan cities and smaller towns over six months and found deep levels of burnout, fear of violence, and rising medico-legal anxiety among medical professionals.Parliamentary Panel Flags Excessive Duty HoursFurther, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare also raised concerns over “excessive continuous duty hours” for junior and senior resident doctors in April.In its latest report, the panel warned that fatigue-driven errors and burnout could compromise care.The Panel recommended that the government introduce and strictly enforce a formal “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy. This would mandate fixed rest periods and monitored duty rosters, with oversight mechanisms to prevent violations.