Suicide is the leading cause of death among US surgical residents.

  • Of 132,243 residents studied, 82 deaths were recorded; 31.7% were due to suicide, particularly among first- and second-year residents.
  • From 2015 to 2021, the all-cause mortality rate decreased to 13.6/100,000 person-years, but suicide rates remained concerning, accounting for 45.8% of deaths in that period.

Surgeons should be aware of the high suicide rates among residents, especially early in their training, emphasizing the need for enhanced support systems and preventive strategies.

Journal Article by Hassan AM, Yaghmour NA and Waljee JF in J Am Coll Surg

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