Skip to main content

Physicians With Disabilities May Experience Depersonalization

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 14, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, May 13, 2024 -- Physicians with disabilities (PWDs) are significantly more likely to experience depersonalization but not emotional exhaustion when compared with their peers without disabilities, according to a research letter published online May 9 in JAMA Network Open.

Lisa M. Meeks, Ph.D., from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, and colleagues investigated the burnout experiences among U.S. PWDs. The analysis included data from the Association of American Medical College 2022 National Sample Survey of Physicians (5,917 physicians; 3.1 percent reported having a disability).

The researchers found that the most frequently selected disabilities were chronic health (32.4 percent) and mobility (24.9 percent). The odds of reporting daily depersonalization among PWDs were higher than for their peers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.45). While not statistically significant, PWDs reported emotional exhaustion more frequently than physicians without disability.

"Compared with peers, PWDs were significantly more likely to experience depersonalization at least once during the previous year, but not emotional exhaustion. This finding suggests PWDs have some protective qualities against exhaustion," the authors write. “However, it simultaneously amplifies growing concerns about the structural environments in which PWDs work, including lack of protections against mistreatment, harassment, and pay inequity. Future research may include qualitative studies to identify factors in burnout among PWDs."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

High Mediterranean Diet Adherence Tied to Fewer Anxiety, Stress Symptoms

FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 -- Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is inversely associated with the severity of anxiety and stress symptoms in older adults, according to a study...

Mental Disorders May Be Transmitted Within Teen Peer Networks

FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 -- Mental disorders may be transmitted within an adolescent peer network, according to a study published online May 22 in JAMA Psychiatry. Jussi Alho, Ph.D...

Parental Legal System Involvement Linked to Adverse Child Mental Health

THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 -- Parental legal system involvement may negatively impact child mental health, according to a study published online May 23 in Pediatrics. Lilian G...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.