ACEP Poll: Emergency Physician Mental Health Barriers

In late October, ACEP released a poll on emergency physician mental health. It amplified what all healthcare workers already know too well—COVID is taking a tremendous toll on emergency physicians’ mental health.

EmergencyPhysicians.org summarized the poll:

“More than eight in 10 (87 percent) of emergency physicians report feeling more stress since the start of the pandemic. Additionally, 72 percent report experiencing more burnout on the job.

 ●     83 percent of emergency physicians feel added stress due to concerns for their family, or friends around contracting COVID-19.

●     80 percent cite concern for their own personal health and safety around contracting COVID-19.

●     65 percent cite concerns for their job, financial security.

●     60 percent are stressed because of lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

But the most startling finding is that, even though emergency physicians are feeling increased stress and burnout, 73% feel that there is a stigma in their workplace that accompanies seeking mental health treatment. And nearly half of the emergency physicians polled do not feel comfortable seeking mental health treatment.

Rising stress levels and increasing cases of burnout and depression will bring about a sister-disaster to the coronavirus unless we work diligently to end the mental health stigma for health care workers.