Opinion
Abuse of residents, liability pressures could lead to physician suicide
LETTER — Posted Sept. 18, 2006
Regarding "AMA works to prevent doctor suicide" (AMNews, July 3): I hope that the AMA, in its research into predisposing factors for the high rate of physician suicide, pursues the following: verbal abuse during residency training, and frivolous litigation and unwarranted jury verdicts.
Being a physician is by far the most rewarding pursuit any human being can undertake. There are legitimate pressures associated with it, such as the constant vigilance necessary to avoid mistakes and the crazy work hours. But the two pressures listed above are unnecessary and need to be corrected as soon as possible.
Matthew G Beckwith, MD, Hagerstown, Md.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/09/18/edlt0918.htm.