Brandon Maser1, Marlon Danilewitz, Eva Guérin, Leanne Findlay, Erica Frank. 1. B. Maser is resident physician and PhD student, Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M. Danilewitz is resident physician, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. E. Guérin is biostatistician, Hôpital Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. L. Findlay is senior research analyst, Health Analysis Division, Analytical Studies, Methodology and Statistical Infrastructure Field, Statistics Canada, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. E. Frank is professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada Research Chair in Preventive Medicine and Population Health, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To provide national data on Canadian medical students' mental health and show how their mental health compares with that of similarly aged postsecondary graduates from the general population. METHOD: In 2015-2016, the authors conducted a survey of medical students in all years of study at all 17 Canadian medical schools. The surveys included validated items and instruments to assess for psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders. Comparative analyses were performed between medical students and similarly aged postsecondary graduates using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health 2012. RESULTS: The participation rate across all medical students was 40.2% (4,613/11,469). Relative to the general population of postsecondary graduates aged 20-34, medical students aged 20-34 had significantly higher rates of diagnosed mood disorders, diagnosed anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and psychological distress. Among medical students, being female was associated with having a mood or anxiety disorder, lifetime suicidal ideation, moderate or severe psychological distress, and higher mean Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6-item summative scores. Being in clinical training was associated with having suicidal ideation, moderate or severe psychological distress, and mood and anxiety disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with postsecondary graduates from the general population, medical student respondents had significantly higher rates of psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and mood and anxiety disorders. Further research is needed to understand the factors that are contributing to these higher rates.
PURPOSE: To provide national data on Canadian medical students' mental health and show how their mental health compares with that of similarly aged postsecondary graduates from the general population. METHOD: In 2015-2016, the authors conducted a survey of medical students in all years of study at all 17 Canadian medical schools. The surveys included validated items and instruments to assess for psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders. Comparative analyses were performed between medical students and similarly aged postsecondary graduates using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health 2012. RESULTS: The participation rate across all medical students was 40.2% (4,613/11,469). Relative to the general population of postsecondary graduates aged 20-34, medical students aged 20-34 had significantly higher rates of diagnosed mood disorders, diagnosed anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and psychological distress. Among medical students, being female was associated with having a mood or anxiety disorder, lifetime suicidal ideation, moderate or severe psychological distress, and higher mean Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6-item summative scores. Being in clinical training was associated with having suicidal ideation, moderate or severe psychological distress, and mood and anxiety disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with postsecondary graduates from the general population, medical student respondents had significantly higher rates of psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and mood and anxiety disorders. Further research is needed to understand the factors that are contributing to these higher rates.
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