Workplace stress, common mental disorder and suicidal ideation in junior doctors

Background Doctors-in-training report elevated rates of mental disorders and high levels of stress. Whilst a number of work-related sources of stress have been identified in the medical profession, it remains unclear as to the relative importance of workplace stressors for mental ill-health in junior doctors. Aims To examine workplace stressors reported by junior doctors and identify variables associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of national 2013 survey of Australian doctors focussing on junior medical officers (N = 3053; 24.9% of total sample). Primary outcomes were caseness of common mental disorder (CMD) and suicidal ideation in the past year. Results Perceived level of conflict between study/career and family/personal responsibility (OR = 3.76, 95% CI: 2.61-5.43; P < 0.01) and sleep deprivation (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.46-3.28; P < 0.01) were significantly associated with CMD, while perceived level of conflict between study/career and family/personal responsibility (OR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.78-5.50; P < 0.01) and bullying (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.42-6.03; P < 0.01) were most strongly associated with suicidal ideation in adjusted models. Conclusion This study identifies modifiable workplace variables that are influential in junior doctors' mental health, and in doing so, provides meaningful evidence-informed targets for future interventions to prevent suicide and mental disorder in this population.