Burnout syndrom as a mental health problem among medical students

Introduction. Mental health problems of adolescents are among the prevailing problems of public health. While studying for their future medical profession, the students of medicine have to exchange emotions with the patients intensively, and the empathic relationship itself bears a risk of eventual ?emotional depletion?, which leads to ?professional lack of emotions?. The study was aimed at presenting burnout syndrome as a challenge for mental health of medical students, its importance for the future professional engagement of doctors and the possibilities of its prevention. Methods. The authors of this paper review and analyze data and conclusions of previous national and international studies from this field and suggest possibilities of overcoming the condition of burnout. Results. The frequency of burnout syndrome, which is the synonym for the above mentioned condition of emotional exhaustion, is twice as high in medical professionals, particularly young ones, as in other professions on average. Burnout syndrome is nowadays regarded as a psychological distress experienced during the educational process and it has been observed in as many as 50% of medical students. The most significant factors independently associated with student burnout are: personality traits, stressful personal life events and learning and training conditions at their faculties. Conclusions. It is of utmost importance to understand the causes and consequences of psychological distress in students, and the faculties should not only identify these problems, but also endeavor to promote health by developing strategies for improving personal well-being, which are important for future doctors to achieve professional success and develop resistance to stress.

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First the Pandemic then the Tsunami: COVID-19 and Its Impact on Mental Health

10.26420/austinpsychiatry.2021.1008 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keng Chuan SOH ◽

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Large Population ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impact ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Behavioural Patterns

Introduction: COVID-19 has undeniably and profoundly impacted everyday lives of the general public. One particular emphasis is the mental wellbeing of populations. This review serves to examine the mental health impact of the current pandemic. Methods: A review of the literature on PubMed was conducted, drawing from systematic reviews and large population studies about mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The content was synthesized with the writer’s experience of daily life across different perspectives. Certain demographic sub-groups were examined, such as those under home quarantine or isolation, those who had contracted COVID-19, those with pre-existing psychiatric disorders, as well as healthcare workers and medical students. Results: Psychological well-being was adversely affected by the pandemic, although there is some controversy about the magnitude of this impact which is likely in relation to the timeline of the pandemic’s progression. Behavioural patterns such as spending habits during lockdowns might provide an early indication of mental health problems. Those who had contracted COVID-19 were found to have heightened levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms and depressive symptoms. Healthcare workers and medical students have faced comparable levels of anxiety, depressed mood and insomnia. The final results of some of the systematic reviews are still pending. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted everyday life. If not already thecase, there is likely to be an anticipated tsunami of mental health concerns. This wouldmake a strong case for the anticipatory need of increased resource allocation to allowmental health services to meet this demand.

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International medical student’s mental health: psychological distress and socio-cultural adaptation

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1066 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

H Hachemi ◽

M Dimitrijević ◽

J Stojanović ◽

S Cvjetković

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

International Students ◽

Medical Students ◽

Cultural Adaptation ◽

Foreign Students ◽

Well Being ◽

International Medical ◽

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽

Future Health

Abstract Background The greater academic mobility and globalization have introduced a substantial number of foreign students to more universities. The lack of recent studies about their adaptation and signs of psychological distress arose an interest about this relevant issue. Recognizing the factors involved in the adaptation process are vital for international students, especially medical, as they are considered the future health-care workforce. Ensuring their well-being is essential for consumers safety, satisfaction and raising quality at lower costs. Thus, the aim of this research was to explore the predictors of psychological distress including socio-demographic variables and socio-cultural adaptation Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Belgrade School of Medicine, where 124 (65 males and 59 females) international students from 32 countries were interviewed using a socio-demographic questionnaire and psychometric tools such as Revised Socio-cultural Adaptation Scale (SCAS-R) and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Statistical analysis included prevalence data and multiple linear regression. Results The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was found to be 39%, 55% and 41%, respectively. Maladaptation to a new environment by lack of participation in the community and focus on own interests were significant predictors of depression (β = −.39, p< .01) and stress (β = −.36, p< .05), while anxiety was associated with both female gender (β = −.30, p<.05), self-centration and absence of community involvement (β = −.37, p< .01). Conclusions There is a high prevalence of anxiety followed by stress and depression among international medical students. The results highlighted the importance of cultural adaptation for psychological distress. This shows a requirement for developing an adequate, accessible professional counselling and peer support services for foreign students that are necessary to achieve sustainable development goals. Key messages Encouraging researchers to further investigate the needs of international medical students. The development and implementation of health policies addressing student’s mental health.

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Distress among Brazilian university students due to the Covid-19 pandemic: survey results and reflections

10.1101/2020.06.19.20135251 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carlos Von Krakauer Hübner ◽

Marcella de Lima Bruscatto ◽

Rafaella Dourado Lima

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

University Students ◽

Mental Health Center ◽

Well Being ◽

Catholic University ◽

Brazilian Students ◽

Peritraumatic Distress ◽

Health And Well Being

AbstractThe first case of infection with the new coronavirus was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined the disease epidemic as a pandemic. Thus, a quarantine was imposed by many governments. As a consequence, and given that epidemiological outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as Covid-19, are associated with psychological disorders and symptoms of mental illness, researchers at the Shanghai Mental Health Center have created the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI), in which the results are obtained: normal, mild/moderate distress and severe distress. The main objective of the study was based on the application of CPDI, in order to identify the health and well-being of Brazilian students from different undergraduate courses at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC/SP) during the Covid-19 pandemic and to test the hypothesis that medical students suffer more than students from other courses. The research is based on a cross-sectional observational study, in which we applied, using Google FormsR, the questions contained in CPDI, among with demographic data: age, sex, educational institution, undergraduate course and school year. The Index was applied online for seven days in which a total of 654 valid responses were obtained: 501 (76.6%) female and 149 (22.8%) male. Regarding age, 333 students (50.91%) were 17-20 years old, 279 (42.66%) between 21-25, 30 (4.59%) between 26-30 and 12 (1.84%) between 31-50. The results indicate that the participants reported significant psychological distress, according to the CPDI score. Practically 90% (87.92%) of the students experienced suffering, while only 12.08% did not suffer. The study provides the first empirical evidence on the level of psychological distress in Brazilian university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, it suggests support and monitoring of university students during and after the pandemic, with effective and efficient intervention in their mental health.Summary boxesSECTION 1Researchers at the Shanghai Mental Health Center have created the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI), to measure the amount of psychological suffering of the population, due to the pandemic of Coronavirus. Before our research, the survey had been applicated in China and Iran. The main objective of the study was to identify with the survey, the health and well-being of Brazilian students from different undergraduate courses at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC/SP) during the Covid-19 pandemic and to test the hypothesis that medical students suffer more than students from other courses.SECTION 2The study provides the first empirical evidence on the level of psychological distress in Brazilian university students during the Covid-19 pandemic, practically 90% (87.92%) of the students experienced some suffering.

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Conversational Agents in the Treatment of Mental Health Problems: Mixed-Method Systematic Review

JMIR Mental Health ◽

10.2196/14166 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

pp. e14166 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Hannah Gaffney ◽

Warren Mansell ◽

Sara Tai

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Conversational Agent ◽

Conversational Agents ◽

Control Groups

Background The use of conversational agent interventions (including chatbots and robots) in mental health is growing at a fast pace. Recent existing reviews have focused exclusively on a subset of embodied conversational agent interventions despite other modalities aiming to achieve the common goal of improved mental health. Objective This study aimed to review the use of conversational agent interventions in the treatment of mental health problems. Methods We performed a systematic search using relevant databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane library). Studies that reported on an autonomous conversational agent that simulated conversation and reported on a mental health outcome were included. Results A total of 13 studies were included in the review. Among them, 4 full-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The rest were feasibility, pilot RCTs and quasi-experimental studies. Interventions were diverse in design and targeted a range of mental health problems using a wide variety of therapeutic orientations. All included studies reported reductions in psychological distress postintervention. Furthermore, 5 controlled studies demonstrated significant reductions in psychological distress compared with inactive control groups. In addition, 3 controlled studies comparing interventions with active control groups failed to demonstrate superior effects. Broader utility in promoting well-being in nonclinical populations was unclear. Conclusions The efficacy and acceptability of conversational agent interventions for mental health problems are promising. However, a more robust experimental design is required to demonstrate efficacy and efficiency. A focus on streamlining interventions, demonstrating equivalence to other treatment modalities, and elucidating mechanisms of action has the potential to increase acceptance by users and clinicians and maximize reach.

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A descriptive study of mental health and burnout among Nigerian medical students

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211057706 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110577

Author(s):

Olatunde Olayinka Ayinde ◽

Eniola Racheal Akinnuoye ◽

Andrew Molodynski ◽

Oliver Battrick ◽

Oye Gureje

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Short Version ◽

Mental Health Conditions

Background: Increasing attention is being paid to medical students’ mental wellbeing globally due in part to their exposure to stressors inherent in medical education and the numerous reports of elevated rates of mental health conditions in this population. Aims: This study aimed to identify stressors and determine prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity, substance use and burnout in a sample of Nigerian medical students. Methods: In a cross-sectional online survey, 505 medical students from 25 Nigerian medical schools completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, short version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the CAGE questionnaire and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Result: The most commonly reported sources of stress were study (75.6%), money (52.3%) and relationships (30.1%). Nine students (1.8%) had received a mental health diagnosis prior to medical school but this number had increased to 29 (5.7%) whilst in medical school, with the majority being cases of anxiety and depressive disorders. The prevalence of psychological distress was 54.5%, but <5% of affected students had received any help for their mental health conditions. Twenty five students (5%) met criteria for problematic alcohol use and 6% had used cannabis. The proportions of students who met criteria for disengagement and exhaustion domains of the OLBI were 84.6% and 77.0% respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological distress and burnout is high among medical students. Interventions for medical students’ well-being should be tailored to their needs and should target risk factors related to personal, organisational and medical school academic structure attributes.

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Conversational Agents in the Treatment of Mental Health Problems: Mixed-Method Systematic Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14166 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hannah Gaffney ◽

Warren Mansell ◽

Sara Tai

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Conversational Agent ◽

Conversational Agents ◽

Control Groups

BACKGROUND The use of conversational agent interventions (including chatbots and robots) in mental health is growing at a fast pace. Recent existing reviews have focused exclusively on a subset of embodied conversational agent interventions despite other modalities aiming to achieve the common goal of improved mental health. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review the use of conversational agent interventions in the treatment of mental health problems. METHODS We performed a systematic search using relevant databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane library). Studies that reported on an autonomous conversational agent that simulated conversation and reported on a mental health outcome were included. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included in the review. Among them, 4 full-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The rest were feasibility, pilot RCTs and quasi-experimental studies. Interventions were diverse in design and targeted a range of mental health problems using a wide variety of therapeutic orientations. All included studies reported reductions in psychological distress postintervention. Furthermore, 5 controlled studies demonstrated significant reductions in psychological distress compared with inactive control groups. In addition, 3 controlled studies comparing interventions with active control groups failed to demonstrate superior effects. Broader utility in promoting well-being in nonclinical populations was unclear. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and acceptability of conversational agent interventions for mental health problems are promising. However, a more robust experimental design is required to demonstrate efficacy and efficiency. A focus on streamlining interventions, demonstrating equivalence to other treatment modalities, and elucidating mechanisms of action has the potential to increase acceptance by users and clinicians and maximize reach.

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Psychological Distress in Bullied Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents

The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education ◽

10.1093/deafed/enz014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 366-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

An-Wen Cheng ◽

Yu-Ching Chou ◽

Fu-Gong Lin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Hard Of Hearing ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Female Gender ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Bullying Victimization ◽

Related Factors ◽

Psychological Well Being

AbstractBullying victimization at school is an important concern in terms of mental health, in particular, for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) adolescents who may be more vulnerable than hearing peers. This study determined the prevalence of bullying victimization among DHH adolescents in Taiwan and ascertained the relation of bullying victimization experiences and family and school variables with their psychological well-being. Data were collected from the 2011 Special Needs Education Longitudinal Study database. Multivariate regression analysis was performed on variables comprising seven items measuring psychological distress; four types of bullying victimizations; and family-, school-, and peer-related factors. Approximately 65% of DHH adolescents experienced at least one type of bullying victimization. Factors such as exclusion bullying, female gender, delayed bedtime, conflicts with parents, unfavorable relationship with parents, inability to get along with friends, dislike for school, and bullying victimization experiences increased psychological distress in the DHH adolescents. Bullying victimization of DHH adolescents is a risk factor for poor mental health. However, a good relationship of these adolescents with their parents and peers could be protective for their psychological well-being. Therefore, parents and teachers should understand the needs of DHH adolescents and establish antibullying strategies to diminish their mental health problems.

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The psychological impact of COVID-19 disease on nurses in two tertiary healthcare centers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1037

Author(s):

Henry E. Jambo ◽

Timothy Amos Ekwere ◽

Victor A. Umoh ◽

Nkemakolam F. Ndionuka ◽

Effiong E. Akpan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Workers ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Simple Random Sample ◽

Tertiary Healthcare ◽

High Level

Background: The onset of COVID-19 disease pandemic worldwide has been associated with a high level of psychological distress. Health workers are amongst the high-risk groups for contracting COVID-19 and may be particularly vulnerable to a variety of mental health problems. This study was conducted to determine the psychological impact of the pandemic on mental well-being of Nigerian nurses who are among the frontline health workers in the fight against the disease.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of nurses in two tertiary healthcare setting. A simple random sample of 111 nurses completed the general healthcare questionnaire (GHQ 12).Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.86±8.2 years, consisting of 38.7% males and 61.3% females. The prevalence of psychological distress was 64.9%. Females had significantly higher psychological distress than males (p=0.003). Also, respondents performing duties in COVID-19 ICU hosting institution had significantly higher distress score than those from non COVID-19 hosting centre (p=0.02). Psychological distress was also significantly higher for respondents with a history of exposure to suspected (p=0.001) or confirmed cases (p<0.001). Formal infection prevention training was a protective factor for the development of psychological stress (p=0.002).Conclusions: A large proportion of nursing staffs have a high level of psychological distress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health interventions may be required to mitigate mental health risks in these health workers.

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The Impact of Social Support on Students’ Behavior in the Context of Iraqi Medical Education

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.7688 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (E) ◽

pp. 1553-1559

Author(s):

I. D. Al-Hasani ◽

H. S. Salih ◽

A. T. Abdul Wahid ◽

Mohammed Jabarah

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Medical Students ◽

Social Life ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are reflected and linked to human behavior in many aspects. Medical students are susceptible to a wide variety of events that compromise their mental well-being, social life as well as their academic achievements. AIM: This study aimed to find the impact of social support on medical students’ behavior in Iraq via assessing their depression, anxiety, and stress status. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey-based study targeted all medical students in Iraq. The employed questionnaires covered mental health status of participants by evaluating their perceptions of depression, anxiety, and stress using. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant influence of social support on students’ perceptions of depression and anxiety, but not of their perception of stress. CONCLUSION: Lending social support to medical student is crucial to improve their depression and anxiety with all the positive results that the support brings to their behavior and social life. However, they need more than the social support to keep them safe from academic and daily life stressors.

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