An interesting study sheds light on the top causes of death in residents. Surprisingly, the results were as follows:
- Accidents
- Neoplasms
- Suicide
Whereas the suicide rate for medical students and physicians is above the national average, it is below the national average for residents. What is the explanation for the lower rates in residency as compared with medical school and regular work? Better support system? More focus on the goal of completion? Enhanced professional fulfillment?
Another positive from the study: traffic accidents for resident are below the national average. While we have probably all fallen asleep driving home and all have family and friends continually concerned for our driving safety, the data indicates that we are no worse off – actually better off – than the average American. While that does not excuse the training ecosystem from insuring safe passage and driving measures (such as paying for taxis home, which my residency program offered for those who felt it unsafe for them to drive due to fatigue), it at least should allay some concerns and show that, despite high profile cases of traffic mortality in residents post call, that is not the norm.