"Idea of ​​mandatory medical examination at doctors far '

Domus Medica is proposing the mandatory screenings after last week once again got a doctor's life. "Such research could be inspired by the screening of pilots," says Professor of Family Medicine Dirk Avonts (Ghent University) in Het Nieuwsblad.

"In addition to their sight and hearing, can also be tested their mental health. By organizing the annual examination will be discovered any problems in time, and can be found appropriate solution with the right help. "

In Flanders die on average five doctors each year by suicide. "But that's just the tip of the iceberg," says Avonts. "The figure says nothing about any mental health problems that are directly on the basis of lie."

"Idea is far '

Belgian doctors' Association (BVAS) takes such a compulsory yearly audit somewhat exaggerated. "We are equally concerned about the health and psychological well-being of our colleagues as Domus Medica, but the idea of a mandatory annual inspection is far." So does Marc Moens, president of BVAS.

Moens stresses that all arrangements have been made in committee self-employed doctors so that doctors who do not feel good about themselves and willingly able to consult their problems with peers. "Meanwhile, there are already initiatives, but often still locally. That should definitely be worked out, "the BVAS president.

"But the idea of a mandatory audit is far," says Moens yet. "So you go people who have a hard, saddled with even more stress. How are you going anyway organize such control approximately 42,000 doctors in Belgium? "

Moens is finally back on suicides among physicians. "Each case is a tragedy, but the number of suicides among physicians is not higher than the Flemish average," he says, adding that the latter is the highest in Europe.
 

By Editors Standard. Be Photo WDK