Ruth E Levine1, Stephanie D Litwins, Ann W Frye. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Route 0193, Galveston, Texas 77555-0193, USA. rlevine@utmb.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess depression rates in contemporary medical students. METHOD: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered anonymously to two medical school classes at matriculation, the end of first year, and the end of second year. RESULTS: Median scores for both classes were low at all points. The proportion of students scoring in the moderate or severely depressed range increased from 5.8% at matriculation to 10.5% by end of Year 2 for the Class of 2004, and from 5.1% to 11.9% over the same time period for the Class of 2005. Overall, 75-83% of students at every administration scored in the lowest BDI score range. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of medical students who experience depressed mood increased over time, but to a lesser degree than in previous studies.
OBJECTIVE: To assess depression rates in contemporary medical students. METHOD: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered anonymously to two medical school classes at matriculation, the end of first year, and the end of second year. RESULTS: Median scores for both classes were low at all points. The proportion of students scoring in the moderate or severely depressed range increased from 5.8% at matriculation to 10.5% by end of Year 2 for the Class of 2004, and from 5.1% to 11.9% over the same time period for the Class of 2005. Overall, 75-83% of students at every administration scored in the lowest BDI score range. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of medical students who experience depressed mood increased over time, but to a lesser degree than in previous studies.
Authors: Lisa S Rotenstein; Marco A Ramos; Matthew Torre; J Bradley Segal; Michael J Peluso; Constance Guille; Srijan Sen; Douglas A Mata Journal: JAMA Date: 2016-12-06 Impact factor: 56.272