How the Ohio State Medical Association, AMA and Ohio Hospital Association highlighted physician suicides

Hundreds of physicians die by suicide each year, according to the National Institutes of Health. See all of the Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards winners here Many clinicians, however, are required to report mental health history as part of licensing requirements, which can dissuade them from getting help. The Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the Ohio Hospital Association sought to raise awareness about this issue through its “Disposables” campaign—to show that physicians are anything but. The organizations partnered with FCB Health New York to create a campaign featuring portraits of four physicians who died by suicide, made from donated medical items. Some of the materials—which included gloves, pill caps and tubing—were sourced from the four doctors’ families and former employers. As part of the campaign, which won silver for Purpose-Led Campaign of the Year in the advocacy category, the organizations organized an exhibition of the portraits for health care leaders and stakeholders in September for Physician Suicide Awareness Day. They also mailed “ask for help” brochures and questionnaires to every physician in Ohio, according to the agency. The exhibit has now begun traveling to states outside of Ohio and was recently featured at the American Medical Association’s national meeting. See all of the Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards winners here

How the Ohio State Medical Association, AMA and Ohio Hospital Association highlighted physician suicides

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