A South Jersey OB/GYN recently got his medical license back (with numerous restrictions) following a suspension for multiple surgical and other errors. The doctor’s license was suspended last year after he panicked during procedures, including C-sections, resulting in errors and harm to patients. He’s no longer allowed to do surgical procedures, deliver babies or have hospital privileges.
According to New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs, the doctor had over two dozen “incident reports, safety events, and patient complaints” while he worked for AtlantiCare. He’s also the defendant in at least two lawsuits.
This case sheds light on the issues around doctors who suffer from anxiety disorders – particularly those who don’t get treatment. Doctors with anxiety disorders can suffer panic attacks, forget how to perform basic medical procedures and make egregious errors.
How common is the problem – and what causes it?
It’s estimated that almost one-fifth of all American adults have some type of anxiety disorder. That number is higher for doctors, at nearly one-third, and even higher for nurses, at over a half.
Some doctors have reported that their issues with anxiety worsened during medical school and residency. There’s no doubt that the extreme stress of the pandemic and the personnel shortages – particularly among nurses – have played a role.
Anxiety disorders can have a genetic component. However, they can also be linked to burnout, which is a well-known problem for doctors.
Doctors can feel an added stigma in admitting that they have an anxiety disorder – particularly since it can affect their performance and potentially their license. However, when doctors suffer repeated panic attacks, it only worsens the problem.
Doctors who have sought treatment, which can include psychological therapy and medication, have reported success. Some still find that they’re better off in a field of medicine where they aren’t potentially putting patients’ health and safety at risk.
What can patients do?
Certainly, patients can’t be expected to spot an anxiety disorder in their physician – particularly one they may meet only once or twice before they perform surgery on them. They can only hope that the doctor’s colleagues or the doctor themselves will recognize it.
Any type of mental or physical disorder is no excuse for making mistakes or for failing to do their job properly. Any time a patient suffers unnecessary harm due to a doctor’s errors or negligence, they can and should explore their options for seeking justice and compensation.