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3 leading health organizations aim to reduce suicides by physicians, medical trainees
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CHICAGO — As increasing rates of stress, depression and fatigue fuel concern about physician well-being, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and Mayo Clinic today launched an initiative to prevent physician and medical trainee suicides.
“We want to be part of a national dialogue that addresses physician well-being and leads to transformational change — to a more humane learning environment for all medical education and a healthier culture for all physicians,” says Thomas J. Nasca, M.D., MACP, chief executive officer of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
At the ACGME’s Second Symposium on Physician Well-Being, the three organizations introduced a library of educational resources on the ACGME website. The resources, intended to help physicians and medical trainees, include:
- A four-minute video that advises medical students, residents and fellows on how to support each other, express concern to peers, and encourage help-seeking behavior
- A comprehensive guide to help graduate training programs respond to a resident death by suicide
- Additional information and access to support
The joint news release includes background on physician suicide and well-being plus more quotes. An accompanying fact sheet provides statistics on physician suicide and mental health.
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About the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is a private, nonprofit, professional organization responsible for the accreditation of residency and fellowship programs and institutions that sponsor these programs in the U.S. Residency and fellowship programs educate resident and fellow physicians in specialties and subspecialties. The ACGME’s mission is to improve health care and population health by assessing and advancing the quality of resident physicians’ education through accreditation.
About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York City with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic or https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/.
MEDIA CONTACT: Deb Anderson, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284 5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu
