Doctors are just like everyone else, in that they are vulnerable to a wide variety of illnesses.

However doctors may differ from the rest of the population in their tendency to deny or minimise medical problems, and their access to a variety of treatments which can be used to self-medicate.

While many doctors access medical care absolutely appropriately, others fail to do so as a result of personal, attitudinal or professional and cultural barriers.

Doctors experiencing emotional and psychological health problems often find significant barriers to seeking help, particularly in light of a culture within the profession which can encourage doctors to view their own illness as a sign of personal weakness.

But doctors make crucial decisions for their patients during their working day, and it is important that patient safety is not compromised by a doctor continuing to work while too unwell to do so.

Have you recently had a concern about the emotional or psychological health of a colleague? Do you feel you are equipped to take the appropriate action to offer support or guidance?

Read our guide on how to spot the signs of a colleague who may be in need of your help.

Worrying signs to look for

Sometimes it is obvious. A colleague's physical health could be hampered by a broken limb meaning they would be unlikely to continue their surgical list and would need to take sick leave or adapt their practice for a period of time.  

However, some conditions can be more difficult, both to identify and assess. Some of those conditions are highlighted below along with examples. 

Signs of depression or other mental ill health 

Depression and bipolar disorder are relatively common mental health problems and occur in doctors like the rest of the population. While the signs may be subtle, for both the individual and their colleagues, the effects on patients may be very significant.  

You may notice that your usually efficient registrar seems unable to get through the weekly clinic and has become irritable and brusque with the clinic staff. You suspect they were tearful when you queried their management of a patient.  

A consultant seems to have become over-confident, making rash decisions about patient management, which are surprising and not in keeping with their usual calm and considered style. 

Signs of addiction 

It is difficult to think of a legitimate reason to smell of alcohol at work and the picture portrayed is likely to be a much more worrying one. Many people who misuse alcohol lack insight into both the misuse, and the effect of it on others.  

Addiction can also occur and may be well hidden in an environment where access to drugs is greater and signs may be skilfully disguised.  

A colleague who has been a bit distant with you recently, has now started to be late to teaching sessions and meetings, and seemed to be hiding something in their pocket when you came across them in the anaesthetic room. When you inquire, you receive an angry and uninformative response. 

Signs of chronic illness 

You are worried your colleague may have a chronic problem such as Parkinson's disease. This could also have very practical implications on their ability to look after patients.  

Loss of facial expression may mean that patients misinterpret your colleague's interactions with them. Tremor may interfere with using the computer accurately or picking up instruments to use during examination. Minor surgery may already be impossible.  

Impact on patients 

If there are concerns that a doctor's health, physical or otherwise, may be affecting their ability to practice, it is vital for the doctor, as well as their patients, that any problems are addressed sooner rather than later. 

The worst possible outcome is to fail to take action until harm comes to a patient.  

Finding solutions 

Doctors who develop health problems can often work safely, as long as they have insight into the limitations it implies for their working life.  

Many doctors work for years with serious and chronic conditions. However, limiting their practice, or adapting the way they consult, may be necessary to ensure that patients are not put at risk. 

So, what action should you take if you are concerned that another doctor's health is compromising their ability to care for patients? 

What to do about your concerns

If you are concerned about the health of a colleague, a first step is often to speak to the individual concerned, to ask how they are and whether they are aware of any health problems.

Sometimes a sympathetic approach will allow a colleague to talk about the difficulties they are experiencing and may lead the doctor to seek help through occupational health services, or their own GP.

Although doctors are notoriously poor at accessing care, specific services for doctors with mental health or addiction problems are available in some areas and have been very effective at providing a service tailored to doctors' needs. Mutually agreed time off may allow the issues to be explored.

Remember that the individual involved will be going through a really difficult and distressing time, and your support and understanding of this can make all the difference.

If you are a GP

It is very important that GPs are registered with a GP outside their own practice.

Occupational health can also offer valuable advice and assistance.  

If you are a resident doctor 

You may not feel you can raise the issues with your colleague. You may be in a resident role, and not in a position to have such a discussion with a senior colleague or your consultant.  

Start by raising your query on an anonymous basis with a senior colleague you feel comfortable speaking to about it. 

You might be worried about the health of another resident doctor who is about to move on to a different hospital and role. You might raise concerns with the doctor who denies any problems and appears to have no insight into the changes in their own behaviour. You might question your own judgement. 

If raising your worries with the doctor themselves has been ineffective or not possible, you will need to consider who else you should speak to. 

It would be sensible to start by raising your query, possibly on an anonymous basis, with a senior colleague that you are comfortable to speak to about it. Your colleague can help you assess the significance of your observations.  

You should consider ringing your defence organisation, as the adviser you speak to is likely to have dealt with many such cases and may be able to advise you in light of the specific issues raised.  

If you are in a senior role 

Having considered the options, through your discussion, you may then need to go back to the doctor you are concerned about, to talk again about the sources of help available for them and how they might seek their own advice.  

If this is unsuccessful, you should consider raising your concerns with those with some responsibility for the doctor concerned.  

In the case of a trainee, their educational supervisor will be following their progress and may be a good place to start. Programme directors may also be helpful in such situations.  

If the doctor is an associate specialist or consultant, a clinician with a managerial role, such as the clinical or medical director, is likely to be appropriate. 

Next steps to take

When discussing your concerns, you should make clear the nature of your worry and the reasons for it. Specific examples are helpful to illustrate the reasons for your view that health may be the problem.  

Although the process can be very difficult and stressful for a doctor, if there are serious health concerns it is better for everyone concerned, particularly the doctor, that the concerns are picked up and dealt with appropriately as soon as possible. Waiting until an adverse event occurs or a patient is harmed can be very damaging for both the doctor and the patients under their care. 

Who to talk to 

Ideally any concerns raised should be dealt with at a local level.  

The process can be difficult and stressful for a doctor, but it is better for everyone, particularly the doctor, that the concerns are dealt with appropriately. 

Once you have brought your concerns to the attention of an appropriate person such as the educational supervisor or the clinical director, the matter should be looked into by the Trust, deanery or local education and training board (LETB), in a sympathetic but structured way, to determine whether the concerns reflect a health problem serious enough to impact on the doctor's work.  

This is likely to include referral to the occupational health department, and possibly a request for information from the doctor's GP or other specialists, and it may involve temporary exclusion from the workplace before sick leave is arranged.  

Some excellent resources are available to assist doctors with mental health concerns or addiction, and these should be highlighted to the doctor. 

If all else fails 

If the doctor is moving to another area, and/or unwilling to cooperate with the advice either from occupational health or the trust, deanery or LETB, they may have to be reported to the GMC. 

If this happens, the GMC are likely to initiate a fitness to practice investigation and arrange health assessments for the doctor in question.  

Most trusts, deaneries or LETBs and the GMC are reasonably sympathetic to doctors with health problems, although the processes may be prolonged and can lead to feelings of isolation for the doctors involved, particularly if they are temporarily excluded or on sick leave.  

Keeping in touch with colleagues who are unwell and letting them know that their colleagues are concerned about them, can be vital to reassure doctors in this position that they have support. 

Coming back to work 

Many doctors returning to work after a substantial period of sick leave will have a phased and supervised return. Again, colleague support during the return to work is crucial and can make the difference between a difficult and stigmatising experience, and a positive and constructive return to full clinical practice.  

The BMA can offer doctors professional support as well as direct you to other sources of help. 

Sources of help