Doctors' mental health, burnout, and suicidality: Professional and ethical issues in the workplace

This case scenario engenders multiple ethical and professional issues for practicing dermatologists and dermatology residents, the most central of which are mental health and suicidality among physicians. When a physician's mental health is compromised, so may the safety and quality of the medical care provided. If a physician's mental state deteriorates to the point that his or her practice becomes impaired and professional obligations cannot be safely carried out, and the physician refuses to seek help, there is an ethical responsibility for a colleague(s) to report the impaired practitioner to an appropriate body or licensing authority.