Family physicians with mental disorders admitted to a physicians' health programme: what can be learned?

Background: Family physicians (FPs) are said to be suffering from high rates of mental distress. Physicians' health programmes (PHPs) have been developed in several countries to provide specialized care for those suffering from mental disorders.

Objective: To describe the profile of FPs admitted to the Integral Care Programme for Sick Physicians (PAIMM) compared to other physicians and the evolution of their referrals during a 20-year period.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1702 medical records of physicians registered at the Medical Council-Association of Barcelona and admitted to the PAIMM from 1998 to 2017. FPs represented 20% (n = 283) of all consultant-grade physicians (n = 1413).

Results: FPs' admissions have increased over the years, mainly in the last decade. FPs were younger than other specialists (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-0.99) and more likely to be women (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06-1.89). All PAIMM physicians had a high prevalence of both adjustment and affective disorders and the prevalence of addictions has decreased in the last decade.

Conclusions: The increase in FPs accessing PHPs in recent years is notable; however, the reasons behind this trend require deeper analysis at the personal, professional and institutional levels.