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Variation of mood and empathy during internship
Lisa M Bellini1, Michael Baime, Judy A Shea
1University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Bellini@mail.med.upenn.edu
JAMA
|June 19, 2002
Summary
Intern physician mood significantly worsened during the internship year, with increased depression, anger, and fatigue. Empathy also declined, indicating a need to explore interventions for resident well-being.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Internship represents a critical transition period for medical residents, often accompanied by mood disturbances.
- Variations in mood and empathy levels throughout the internship year have not been systematically investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine mood patterns and changes in empathy among internal medicine residents during their internship year.
- Investigate the temporal dynamics of psychological well-being in early-career physicians.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 61 internal medicine interns at a university-based medical center.
- Utilized the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) at four time points throughout the internship year (June, November, February, June).
Main Results:
- Interns began with lower negative mood states and higher vigor and empathy compared to general populations.
- By five months, significant increases in depression, anger, fatigue, and personal distress were observed (P<.001).
- These negative mood changes correlated with decreased vigor and empathic concern, persisting throughout the internship.
Conclusions:
- Initial enthusiasm among interns rapidly shifted to increased depression, anger, and fatigue.
- The findings highlight a significant decline in psychological well-being and empathy during the internship year.
- Further research is warranted to determine if these detrimental changes extend beyond the internship period and to develop supportive interventions.
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