Study Reveals Surge in Mental Health Visits Among Physicians

Mental health and substance use (MHSU) visits among physicians have become increasingly common, with a significant rise observed during the initial two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. A research letter published on November 18, 2025, in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlights these findings, based on a study conducted by Maya A. Gibb, M.P.H., and colleagues from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Ontario, Canada.

The study examined healthcare visit patterns related to MHSU among a cohort of 29,662 physicians over a nearly two-decade span, from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2022. Researchers calculated the annual age-sex standardized proportion of physicians with one or more outpatient MHSU visits, revealing that approximately 11.0% of physicians sought this type of care during the study period.

Trends Before and During the Pandemic

Prior to the pandemic, the standardized proportion of physicians receiving MHSU care remained relatively stable, ranging from 12.5% in 2003-2004 to 12.1% in 2018-2019. However, the onset of the pandemic marked a change. The proportion of physicians utilizing MHSU services increased notably, with figures rising to 14.6% in 2020-2021, followed by 15.2% in 2021-2022, and slightly declining to 14.4% in 2022-2023.

The study also revealed disparities in MHSU visits based on specialty prior to the pandemic. In 2018-2019, 28.0% of psychiatrists, 14.2% of family physicians, and 9.7% of all other specialty physicians reported at least one MHSU visit. Interestingly, while mental health care increased across all specialties during the pandemic, the rate for psychiatry remained stable, suggesting a unique position within the healthcare landscape.

Longstanding Concerns Addressed

The authors of the study suggest that the current concerns regarding a mental health crisis among physicians may not reflect a novel issue. Instead, they indicate that the pandemic may have exacerbated a longstanding pattern of adverse mental health among physicians. As they noted, “Current concerns over a physician mental health crisis may not reflect a new crisis but rather highlight a longstanding pattern of adverse physician mental health that was exacerbated during the pandemic.”

This study underscores the importance of addressing mental health and substance use issues within the medical community, particularly in light of the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. As healthcare professionals navigate these challenges, understanding the trends in MHSU visits can inform better support and resources for those in the medical field.

For further details, refer to the full study by Maya A. Gibb et al. in the Annals of Internal Medicine, DOI: 10.7326/annals-24-01069.