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High levels of stress, burnout, and symptoms of poor mental health have been well known among practicing doctors for a number of years. Indeed, many health systems have formal and informal mechanisms to offer support and treatment where needed, though this varies tremendously across cultures. There is increasing evidence that current medical students, our doctors of the future, also report very high levels of distress, burnout, and substance misuse. We sampled large groups of medical students in 12 countries at the same time and with exactly the same method in order to aid direct comparison. 3766 students responded to our survey across five continents in what we believe is a global first. Our results show that students in all 12 countries report very high levels of 'caseness' on validated measures of psychiatric symptoms and burnout. Rates of substance misuse, often a cause of or coping mechanism for this distress, and identified sources of stress also varied across cultures. Variations are strongly influenced by cultural factors. Further quantitative and qualitative research is required to confirm our results and further delineate the causes for high rates of psychiatric symptoms and burnout. Studies should also focus on the implementation of strategies to safeguard and identify those most at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wellbeing of doctors in training is currently under the spotlight. The British Medical Association (BMA) has committed to understanding issues of wellbeing amongst medical students. Medical students from England were asked to complete an online survey pertaining to wellbeing. 84 students responded. Results show 29% of respondents were given a mental health diagnosis whilst at medical school, and 82% could be classified as 'disengaged' and 85% 'exhausted' using the Oldenburg Burnout Scale. This demonstrates the need for further surveys with an increased number of respondents in order to gather more evidence surrounding these high rates of mental health issues. Support and preventative measures for medical students are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In studies around the world, medical students have been identified as being at high risk for poor mental wellbeing, burnout and mental ill health. This can lead on to poorer physical health, substance misuse and reduced academic performance. We surveyed Portuguese medical students to assess burnout (using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, OLBI), minor psychiatric illness (General Health Questionnaire 12, GHQ12) and alcohol misuse (CAGE questionnaire). A total of 622 medical students participated in the study. We found high levels of exhaustion (89%), disengagement (81%) and minor psychiatric illness (91%). The CAGE questionnaire was positive in 10% of students. Future research is required to confirm these results, assess and monitor local and global trends and investigate interventions at both local and national level to improve the mental wellbeing of medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical students' wellbeing and mental health are of extreme importance. Studies from around the world have shown that the rates of burnout appear to be high. It is also well recognized that individuals with mental illnesses frequently avoid seeking help for fear of stigma, affecting their careers and being rejected or treated differently by their peers, or due to the perception that they will be deemed unfit for practice or rejected from their preferred specialty. Students who are open about their mental health conditions are often ostracized by their own peers and dismissed or even mistreated by teachers who consider mental 'toughness' to be a requirement for success in the medical arena. The impact of socioeconomic conditions cannot be under-estimated. We carried out a survey of mental health and wellbeing of medical students in the National University of Asuncion. A sample of 180 students across different years showed that 21% had sought help and 4% had been diagnosed with a mental condition before entering medical school; 3% had been previously diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorders; 14% currently consult with a health professional specifically about their mental health; and 8% reported currently taking medication for their mental health. The most common medication was Escitalopram at 21%, followed by Sertraline with 11%. Various sources of stress were identified, all of which were noted to be concerning four specific domains: financial difficulties, familial issues, housing issues, and difficulties surrounding studies. Of these students, 20% were CAGE positive and 9.4% reported using substances to feel better. These findings indicate that medical students need better support to ensure that they function better. They require in-depth exploration of the potential causes of their illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical students are tomorrow's healthcare professionals (HCPs), and their role in the design and delivery of healthcare in the future is crucial. Following an invitation to participate in a global call on mental health and wellbeing among medical students, it was decided to include Moroccan medical students based in the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat between March 2019 and May 2019. Six hundred and thirty-seven medical students from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat responded to the BMA (British Medical Association) online survey, with females representing 66% of students. Medical studies were considered the main source of stress by 90% of respondents. The CAGE test screened 5% of students to be at risk of alcohol related health problems. Thirteen per cent of respondents reported substance misuse, 20% consumed alcohol, and 13% reported Illicit drug use. Almost half of Moroccan medical students had minor psychiatric disorder according to GHQ-12. Very high rates of burnout were found among undergraduate medical students, at 93%, and 68% reported, respectively, exhaustion and disengagement. This study showed very high levels of burnout among Moroccan undergraduate medical students. These results draw attention to the poor mental wellbeing of medical students. It is important that careful steps are put in place to support medical students who need this help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the globe medical students are experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. This can ultimately lead to poor academic performance, substance misuse and/or concerns over clinical practice and fitness to practice. We surveyed Jordanian medical students to assess burnout (using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, OLBI), minor psychiatric illness (General Health Questionnaire 12, GHQ12) and alcohol/substance abuse (CAGE questionnaire). Results indicate a high level of exhaustion (91%), disengagement (87%) and 'minor' psychiatric illness (92%). OLBI and GHQ12 scores were found to correlate positively (p < 0.001). The CAGE questionnaire was positive in 8% of students. Further research is required to confirm these results and compare them to the global burden of mental illness in medical students. Medical students in Jordan should be considered a high-risk group for burnout and mental health problems and strategies should be employed to recognise and appropriately manage those most at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with studies from around the world, several studies have shown equal or higher rates of anxiety, depression, alcohol and other drug use, and burnout in medical students in Brazil. The aim of the present study was to identify difficulties Brazilian medical students face regarding stressors, psychological distress, and psychiatric morbidity using standardized reliable and valid instruments. In addition, this study also investigated differences associated with sex. Students (n = 129) were asked to complete a one-off survey from January to June 2019, including demographics, previous mental health issues, CAGE, GHQ-12, and OLBI. A higher prevalence of previous mental disorders was found in comparison to during the medical course. This may suggest that perhaps students are under more stress or that they form a more vulnerable sub-population in medical school in comparison with the general population. However, the types of mental disorders before and during the undergraduate course appear to vary. During the course, they show higher levels of anxiety rather than that of depression. Before commencing the course, they showed higher levels of depression rather than anxiety. Cannabis and ecstasy experimentation levels were higher than those of students from other courses in previous studies. The opposite was true for stimulants. Just over a quarter reported alcohol abuse above the CAGE cut-off point. The levels of psychological distress and burnout were extremely high, and women had even higher levels. Male respondents were more likely to have a history of mental ill-health, but female subjects scored higher on burnout. Overall over 80% students reported burnout. These findings are discussed in the context of Brazilian culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical students' wellbeing and mental health requires nurturing in order for them to build success in their careers, help people while doing so, and to be happy. To better characterise the current state of wellbeing in medical schools in Wales, medical students from Cardiff and Swansea Universities were asked to complete an online survey as part of a larger international survey regarding their mental health and wellbeing. 266 students responded out of approximately 2150, a rate of 12%. 44 students received a mental health diagnosis whilst at medical school (predominantly depression or anxiety), 65 scored threshold for concerning alcohol consumption using the CAGE questionnaire, and 224 and 230 students reached threshold for the disengagement and exhaustion components of the Oldenburg Burnout Scale, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical students (MSs) are an important part of the workforce for delivery of tomorrow's healthcare. Their ever changing knowledge base and long periods of training may significantly affect their mental health and wellbeing over the years. Following a global call for participation, it was decided to include Italian medical schools based in the Universities of Ancona and Foggia between January and April 2019. Students were invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 360 completed responses were received and analysed. Of these, 8.6% of samples reported mental health issues whilst at medical school, ranking as follows: Anxiety Disorders > Major Depression > Eating Disorders > ADHD > Burnout Syndrome; 7.2% of them had been treated with psychotropic medications whereas 7.8% were self-medicating; 8.9% reported problems related to alcohol-drinking, and 22.8% admitted using illicit drugs (mostly cannabis and cocaine). The levels of burnout syndrome were quite low. It is important to ensure that the future workforce are looked after and, as the students are in the vulnerable age group, they should have access to early and prompt help-seeking and early interventions if needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]