Episode 34 – Physician Suicide and the Impact of COVID-19 – Pamela Wible, MD

Pamela Wible, MD, is a physician, author, and advocate for a more humane medical system. Dr. Wible runs a suicide hotline for physicians, providing an outlet for physicians to share concerns, distress, and emotional reactions to today’s inhumane medical training and practice environments, without fear of punishment or reprisal. She also participated in the recently released documentary film, Do No Harm, that looks at the issues driving physician suicide and what reforms are necessary to reverse them.

In this episode, Dr. Wible and I talk about the systemic factors that lead to physician suicide, particularly those pertaining to medical education. We look at the additional emotional and moral distress caused by COVID-19 and racial and social inequities. We end by discussing the kinds of transparency, reform, and leadership required to create a more humane medical system.

Links related to Dr. Wible’s podcast:

• Dr. Wible’s website
• Free audiobook of physician suicide letters
• Do No Harm film website
• Dr. Wible’s TED talk, Why Doctors Kill Themselves