I think the doctor that commited suicide suffered from an acute depressive episode, so the outcome could be prevented by catching it early, taking a break etc

I think the doctor that commited suicide suffered from an acute depressive episode, so the outcome could be prevented by catching it early, taking a break etc As a doctor myself, I believe it's difficult for a non-doctor to understand our problems. Saving lives (in quantity and quality) is both very rewarding and demanding but those two feelings cancel each other out, hopefully leaving a small positive residual. The effort is usually disconnected with it's financial reward (eg an easy, a-few-minutes case can be paid the same as another that devastated you) and that is inevitable. The medical administration, both public and private, is totally inefficient, if not provocative (eg providing 10 minutes for a whole patient visit so that the pay seems attractive). In the end, I believe the doctor himself should take advantage of the degrees medical profession freedom, make some choices and/or navigate himself in the medical system in order to balance work, salary and life, starting from the specialty (eg surgeon vs internist etc) and continuing during his whole career.