A doctor committed suicide at age 33, leaving a suicide note that revealed the harsh reality of the pressures in the American medical profession.

The sudden death of Dr. Will West, dubbed "Will the Iron," has left behind a suicide note expressing his exhaustion and warning about the immense pressure faced by those in the medical profession.

Dr. Will West passed away at a very young age. (Source: Zbreakingnewz)

Will West was an ophthalmologist in the Department of Medicine and Health Sciences at George Washington University (USA). He was often called "Iron Will" because of his unwavering determination. His sudden death at the age of 33 has left his family and colleagues deeply saddened.

"To those who will be negatively impacted by my actions, I am deeply sorry. I have simply run out of energy and have nothing left to contribute," the Washington Post quoted Dr. West's letter as saying.

Before he passed away, Dr. West contacted his younger brother, David. It seems he wanted to make sure his loved ones would be okay after he was gone.

David is also pursuing a career in medicine. His younger brother believes that demanding residency programs, with 80-hour workweeks and minimum wage, can significantly impact the mental health of doctors.

According to Ibtimes , some medical licenses require information about a history of mental health treatment. Dr. West had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. However, he refused hospital treatment due to concerns about its impact on his work.

"There is no room for imperfection. Weakness is also not allowed," David explained.

In the letter, Dr. West issued a warning to hospital administrators: "I hope for efforts to understand, support, and guide residents rather than just evaluating and pushing them to reach their full potential as doctors... There are other residents who are in a real life-or-death battle – both inside and outside the clinic/hospital."

He suggested that those resident doctors might exhibit symptoms like laziness and lack of motivation – “unforgivable sins in our profession.” Dr. West’s family expressed their deep sorrow in the obituary, remembering him as a beloved son and brother.

Instead of flowers, the family encouraged donations to the Dr. Lorna Breene Heroes Fund, a charity supporting the mental health of healthcare workers. The fund was established in memory of Dr. Breene, a healthcare professional who committed suicide during the Covid-19 pandemic.

George Washington University (USA) states that the safety of all students and staff is its top priority: "We recognize that the residency experience can be a personal challenge and that resident physicians may need professional support to ensure their well-being. The university is aware of and strives to eliminate ingrained prejudices that hinder physicians from seeking help if they have mental health issues that can sometimes be life-threatening.”

The university also affirmed its commitment to providing resources to support the physical and emotional well-being of staff and students, including free privacy counseling.

Three months after Dr. West's death, colleagues organized a march to call for mental health benefits, improved working hours, and higher pay. Many said they empathized with Dr. West's struggles.

Today, the desk where the ill-fated doctor once sat remains empty, decorated with memorial wreaths as a reminder of the consequences that workplace pressure can have.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bac-si-tu-tu-o-tuoi-33-de-lai-thu-tuyet-menh-he-lo-su-that-khoc-liet-ve-nhung-ap-luc-trong-nganh-yo-my-289967.html