Abstract The concept of physician wellbeing, particularly amongst psychiatrists, has become a central concern for workforce sustainability and patient safety. Evidence indicates that high rates of burnout and moral injury are prevalent, driven by systemic pressures, increasing healthcare burdens, and staff shortages. This article explores the concept of wellbeing not merely as the absence of illness, but as a dynamic and evolving state of being that requires fulfilment, resilience, and containment through robust organizational and peer support. The article reviews existing practices and resources in the UK, particularly of professional bodies such as the General Medical Council (GMC) and the British Medical Association (BMA) in developing guidelines and support checklists, like the ’Resident doctor wellbeing checklist’. It also takes a look at recent systemic initiatives from international organisations, like the United Nation’s non communicable and mental health declaration, and The World Medical Association’s revised “Statement on Physicians. A literature review, associates higher rates of burnout to factors such as long working hours, lack of supervision, female gender, and reduced autonomy. In an attempt to respond, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is advancing its strategy through initiatives like the Wellbeing Champions and the Retention Charter, that aim to embed a systemic and structured approach to physician support. The article concludes that while national efforts are encouraging, physician wellbeing remains a global necessity that requires international collaboration, proactive governance, and a commitment to individual self-actualisation to manage the ongoing healthcare crisis.
Mahanta et al. (Mon,) studied this question.