Samson Isberg

Physician suicide: Norway

Sunday, April 16, 2006 1:14:30 PM

physician suicide, board of health, Norway

Doctors, and especially male doctors, have the highest suicide rate in Norway, the headlines scream (in the newspaper that has done more than any other newspaper to drive doctors to suicide).

Now why can this be (other western countries that has studied the same phenomenon has found similar results)?

The Newspaper offers its own simplistic solutions, disguised as the presumably wise word of a professor:

A main problem is that they feel they have nowhere to go when they need help, and a doctor treating himself is a poor physician.

And tell me, professor, where would a suicidal doctor go for help? If he goes to another doctor, this doctor are under legal obligation to report his colleague to the Board of Health so that they can yank his licence as he now has a "mental disease".

So please, do research about something you have a remote possibility of knowing anything about.

More nonsense from the NMAMurder in an unsympathetic way

Comments

Fatimahzenya # Sunday, April 16, 2006 1:51:53 PM

hello again,

Here the Drs drink

I haven't heard about any suicides.

I agree with you here, they don't have any where to go however, they can seek help of a mental therapist who is bound by patient confidentiality?

Just my opinion..

Eve

Samson Isberg # Sunday, April 16, 2006 2:32:48 PM

The confidentiality is a joke here. The Government has punched so many holes in it that it virtually doesn't exist anymore.
- according to the Health Personell Act § 30, there is no such thing as confidentiality where the Board of Health is concerned.
- according to the same Act's § 17, all doctors are under an obligation to report colleagues with psychiatric diseases to the Board of Health.

So we drink here too...

Fatimahzenya # Sunday, April 16, 2006 2:40:58 PM

Then why can't they go to get the help they need if they are not obligated to report them?

sounds a bit odd..

Samson Isberg # Sunday, April 16, 2006 2:54:44 PM

I see now that I have written in a manner as to invite misunderstanding (which is no good thing for a doctor).

They are obligated to report them. The NMA runs a special "Villa sana" for some burnt-out cases to recuperate, my wife once insisted that I should go there, but I refused for that reason.

Fatimahzenya # Sunday, April 16, 2006 3:08:21 PM

OH I C now

I wish some doctors here would take a retreat, they are so burned out but they keep practicing and making mis diagonsis

Thank you for clearing this up..

Samson Isberg # Monday, April 17, 2006 2:05:10 PM

And just to prove that bureaucrats are the same all over the world, use Google and look up "Medical Board of California vs. Hason". Dr Hason had suffered clinical depression, and because of that the State of California refused to grant him his licence. He sue them, but instead of facing that challenge in court, the State of California hid behind a technicality, saying that the 11th amendment to the US constitution prohibited Dr Hason from suing them.

Yes, they are all alike...

Fatimahzenya # Monday, April 17, 2006 9:40:59 PM

I do agree with you don't get me wrong,, I know they are the same no matter where you go .. its a catch all for them. I am sorry for this too. I know here in USA the malpractice insurance is really high and also some doctores move to other countries to work .

Less stressful and cheaper too.

Thanks for always posting great posts.

Eve

Pam Williamspaminhenan # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 7:40:46 AM

Interesting, in the US, I was told the dentists have the highest suicide rate. Pam in Henan

Samson Isberg # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 8:11:46 AM

I remember that study, too. When I was a student, we were told that the group "single, middle-aged, male, alcoholic sailors" was the highest risk.

But in this study I referred to, only a few professions were compared; like theologians (lowest risk), policemen, nurses, vets, doctors etc.

And sailors are rapidly becoming extinct in this country as well (not because of suicides, but because Philippinos are cheaper and better)

Fatimahzenya # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 2:02:29 PM

I don't know about dentists other than the one by me gets married to many times

I had to get my surgery in Egypt and for under 100.00 its a deal for sure.. here in USA it would have cost me nearly 5000.00 or more.

I have good connections in Egypt now for anything .. great way to live huh?

Yes other countries are becoming now the locations for Americans to have plastic surgery and also other proceedures.. why not blend surgery and vactions

Eve

Samson Isberg # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 2:19:28 PM

That's the fashion here too. Just by vacationing in Poland you can get great dental work done extremely cheap, and at the same time Poland is a very under-estimated country - nice, friendly people, tons of culture everywhere, unimaginable low prices...

But recently the Health Authorities in Norway have issued a warning against this Health Tourism; not that foreign doctors are sloppy (because they aren't, not more than our local variants), not that they are poorly trained (many of them are highly qualified practitioners), it's not that they do poor work (some of them are internationally known for their skills), no, it's this: You Can't Sue Them.

In the eyes of the Norwegian establishment, that's reason enough to stay at home and wait in endeless lines until the doctor has time to see you.

Fatimahzenya # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 2:22:46 PM

HI again,

Yes here too. the Drs are "WARNING " against it hahah sure they are they are going to lose big bucks here..

NBC today show had on surgical vactions packages.. you can go to Brazil for 2 weeks and get surgery and hotel meals and airfare for under $5000.00 thats a deal for sure..

Thailand is even less and recovery is longer

I like the deal of beaches not hospital rooms.

humm if only I can afford one

Samson Isberg # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 2:50:44 PM

Thai doctors have a generally good reputation too...thorough, decent practitioners, peaceful country, lovely climate (except for the tsunami, but that was a long shot). As for Brazil, I only know of the obstetrical services there, and they are appalling; if you are planning to give birth, you'd be better off under a tree in the woods that in a brazilian hospital; but as for plastic surgery I don't know about that...

Fatimahzenya # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 3:11:56 PM

haha thats funny under a tree LOL

at my age I don't think this is available to me

Brazil on NBC was mentioned for plastic surgery only . that is so far.

You are so funny .. a nice change for a doctore.

Thanks for the smiles.

Samson Isberg # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 3:28:04 PM

You're welcome, and thanks for your comments.

Pam Williamspaminhenan # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 9:04:17 PM

Before coming to China, I was told to stay away from a Chinese dentist. Then, my front tooth broke. I went to one recommended by a friend. She was great, the place was clean, she wore a mask and gloves. Didn't even want to charge me but finally said I could pay 20 yuan, if I insisted. That's about $2.85. That was two years ago and it still looks great. It would have cost me $200 or more in US.

Fatimahzenya # Wednesday, April 19, 2006 9:09:28 PM

HI Pam,

I too had dental work done in Egypt and for pennies compared to what it would cost me to do it in USA.. My dentist there was trained in USA and also worked in Texas for many years before going back to his mother country.

My eye doctor in Egypt too was trained and worked in USa and Spain.. so it really doesnt matter to me just it's cheaper and much easier to be seen ..

I can call on Monday and be seen that night not like USA I am now waiting for a gyn visit for 1 month now thats insane.

Eve