| Abstract [eng] |
The dissertation presents a study aimed at a comprehensive evaluation of the mental health and burnout of Lithuanian healthcare workers, as well as an analysis of their cause-specific mortality. Global evidence shows that healthcare professionals, due to constant stress, patient care, lack of time, and high administrative demands, face a significantly higher risk of suicide and mental illnesses compared to workers in other sectors. The dissertation was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, by linking population census data with the register of causes of death, a detailed analysis of causes of death and suicide risk was performed. In the second stage, a comprehensive mental health assessment was carried out by surveying 1,612 Lithuanian medical professionals. The analysis of causes of death revealed an increased overall and cause-specific (due to oncological and cardiovascular diseases) mortality among male medical professionals compared to other individuals with higher education. The psychological state assessment revealed that as many as two-thirds of the respondents had considered changing their speciality to a non-medical profession, one in five suffered from depression or anxiety disorders, and one in four had an increased risk of suicide. The collected data establishes a solid foundation for further research on mental health trends and scientifically justifies the need to develop and implement targeted psychological support and well-being improvement programmes within the country's healthcare sector. |
