BACKGROUND: Rates of depression among medical students have been shown to be high and related to year of study and other factors. We report on cluster of symptoms related to depression and their association with other difficulties in specific domains. METHODS: 481 (Response rate=79.8%) medical students completed a questionnaire about areas of difficulty in the medical school (studies, leisure, colleagues, professors, and patients), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We studied correlation among areas of difficulty and clusters of BDI along with year in the course. RESULTS: Two areas which contributed most difficulty were studies and leisure. The significant associations for studies were seen between somatic cluster of depressive symptoms and the level of the course. Difficulties associated with leisure activities and with colleagues were correlated with the affective cluster of symptoms of depression. Activities related to clinical matters especially working with patients in the internship year were associated with somatic clusters. The different associations confirmed that rather than relying on scores emphasis should be placed on clusters of symptoms. LIMITATIONS: Sample from a single medical school. CONCLUSIONS: Although the clusters are associated with specific difficulties, it is important that educators and health professionals are aware of streesors the medical students face. The correlations if confirmed in future studies with qualitative factors could guide the development of more specific therapeutic or curriculum interventions.
BACKGROUND: Rates of depression among medical students have been shown to be high and related to year of study and other factors. We report on cluster of symptoms related to depression and their association with other difficulties in specific domains. METHODS: 481 (Response rate=79.8%) medical students completed a questionnaire about areas of difficulty in the medical school (studies, leisure, colleagues, professors, and patients), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We studied correlation among areas of difficulty and clusters of BDI along with year in the course. RESULTS: Two areas which contributed most difficulty were studies and leisure. The significant associations for studies were seen between somatic cluster of depressive symptoms and the level of the course. Difficulties associated with leisure activities and with colleagues were correlated with the affective cluster of symptoms of depression. Activities related to clinical matters especially working with patients in the internship year were associated with somatic clusters. The different associations confirmed that rather than relying on scores emphasis should be placed on clusters of symptoms. LIMITATIONS: Sample from a single medical school. CONCLUSIONS: Although the clusters are associated with specific difficulties, it is important that educators and health professionals are aware of streesors the medical students face. The correlations if confirmed in future studies with qualitative factors could guide the development of more specific therapeutic or curriculum interventions.
Authors: João P Pacheco; Henrique T Giacomin; Wilson W Tam; Tássia B Ribeiro; Claudia Arab; Italla M Bezerra; Gustavo C Pinasco Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2017-08-31 Impact factor: 2.697
Authors: Wafaa Ihab Hafez Elsawy; Aida Aly Reda Sherif; Medhat Salah El Din Attia; Nessrin Ahmed El-Nimr Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2020-09 Impact factor: 0.927
Authors: Fabrizio Bert; Giuseppina Lo Moro; Alessio Corradi; Anna Acampora; Antonella Agodi; Laura Brunelli; Maria Chironna; Silvia Cocchio; Vincenza Cofini; Marcello Mario D'Errico; Carolina Marzuillo; Cesira Pasquarella; Maria Pavia; Vincenzo Restivo; Maria Rosaria Gualano; Paolo Leombruni; Roberta Siliquini Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-04-17 Impact factor: 3.240