A new national survey conducted in India has found that doctors have an average life expectancy nearly 15 years shorter than the general population, raising concerns about the long-term impact of occupational stress on healthcare professionals.
Commenting on the findings, medical lawyer Palitha Bandara Subhasinghe said the results serve as a serious warning for the healthcare systems of South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka.
The study, conducted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over a 12-month period involving 1,537 doctors, highlighted the significant physical and mental health challenges faced by medical professionals.
According to the survey, while the average life expectancy of the general population in India is 73.6 years, the average life expectancy of doctors is 58.1 years.
The report also found that 49.6 percent of doctors experience high levels of occupational stress, while 39.1 percent reported moderate stress. Only 11.3 percent said they experienced low levels of work-related stress.
In addition, 22.2 percent of respondents were found to be suffering from depression, 23.3 percent from anxiety, and 2.8 percent reported experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The survey further revealed a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases among doctors, with 32.1 percent suffering from hypertension, 24.2 percent reporting stress-related illnesses, 21.7 percent living with diabetes, 19.4 percent having high cholesterol, and 16.8 percent classified as obese.
Subhasinghe stressed that the findings highlight the urgent need for greater attention to the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals, warning that declining health among doctors could ultimately affect the quality and sustainability of healthcare services.
Source: Divaina (based on findings reported from an Indian Medical Association survey).
