Mental Health Issues among Physicians in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review.

IF 1.5 Q2 MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL

Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences Pub Date : 2025-07-01 Epub Date: 2025-07-14 DOI:10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_128_25

Dushad Ram, Hathim Yousef Alharbi

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Abstract

Background: Physicians in Saudi Arabia encounter significant occupational stressors that elevate their risk of mental health challenges.

Objective: This review maps research on the mental health of physicians in Saudi Arabia, identifies key themes and gaps, and contributes to understanding physician well-being. It aims to inform future research and targeted interventions to improve both physician well-being and healthcare quality.

Methods: This scoping review mapped literature (2000-2024) on the mental health of physicians in Saudi Arabia. Inclusion criteria were primary research studies (quantitative or mixed methods) on the mental health of physician (interns to consultants) in Saudi Arabia. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched. Thematic synthesis was performed.

Results: Eighty-eight cross-sectional studies (sample size range: 55-1205; N ~11,000) revealed significant mental health challenges. Workplace bullying (70%, 95% CI: 65.2%-74.6%) and harassment (83.6%, 95% CI: 79.7%-87.0%) were prevalent. Psychiatric issues included high stress (>50%, 95% CI: varied according to study), depression (up to 75.8%, 95% CI: 70.2%-80.8% in residents), anxiety (up to 50%, 95% CI: 43.0%-57.0%), and sleep disturbances (up to 87%, 95% CI: 82.0%-91.1% in residents). Substance use (smoking 16%-47.7%) and self-prescription of psychotropics were observed. Adaptive coping (e.g., religion and planning) was common, while maladaptive coping (e.g., self-blame) was associated with higher stress, particularly in females. Job satisfaction varied, with lower satisfaction in intensive care and plastic surgery.

Conclusions: This review highlights significant, interconnected mental health challenges among physicians in Saudi Arabia, particularly in high-stress specialties and among female physicians. Targeted interventions and future research are needed to address work-related stress, improve coping, enhance institutional support, and promote physician well-being and healthcare quality.

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沙特阿拉伯医生的心理健康问题：范围审查

背景：沙特阿拉伯的医生遇到了显著的职业压力源，提高了他们的心理健康挑战的风险。目的：本综述绘制了沙特阿拉伯医生心理健康的研究地图，确定了关键主题和差距，并有助于理解医生的幸福感。它的目的是告知未来的研究和有针对性的干预措施，以提高医生的福祉和医疗保健质量。方法：本综述绘制了沙特阿拉伯医生心理健康的文献（2000-2024）。纳入标准是关于沙特阿拉伯医生（从实习生到顾问）心理健康的初步研究（定量或混合方法）。检索了PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science和b谷歌Scholar。进行主题综合。结果：88项横断面研究（样本量范围：55 ~ 1205；N ~ 11000）显示了显著的心理健康挑战。工作场所欺凌（70%,95% CI: 65.2%-74.6%）和骚扰（83.6%,95% CI: 79.7%-87.0%）普遍存在。精神问题包括高压力（bbb50 %， 95% CI：因研究而异）、抑郁（居民中高达75.8%,95% CI: 70.2%-80.8%）、焦虑（高达50%，95% CI: 43.0%-57.0%）和睡眠障碍（居民中高达87%，95% CI: 82.0%-91.1%）。药物使用（吸烟16% ~ 47.7%）和精神药物自我处方。适应性应对（例如，宗教和计划）是常见的，而适应不良的应对（例如，自责）与更高的压力有关，尤其是在女性中。工作满意度各不相同，重症监护和整形外科的满意度较低。结论：本综述强调了沙特阿拉伯医生，特别是高压力专业和女医生面临的重大、相互关联的心理健康挑战。有针对性的干预措施和未来的研究需要解决工作压力，改善应对，加强机构支持，促进医生的福祉和医疗保健质量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL-

CiteScore

1.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

15 weeks

期刊介绍： Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences (SJMMS) is the official scientific journal of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. It is an international peer-reviewed, general medical journal. The scope of the Journal is to publish research that will be of interest to health specialties both in academic and clinical practice. The Journal aims at disseminating high-powered research results with the objective of turning research into knowledge. It seeks to promote scholarly publishing in medicine and medical sciences. The Journal is published in print and online. The target readers of the Journal include all medical and health professionals in the health cluster such as in medicine, dentistry, nursing, applied medical sciences, clinical pharmacology, public health, etc.