An evaluation of depressed mood in two classes of medical students

To assess depression rates in contemporary medical students.

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered anonymously to two medical school classes at matriculation, the end of first year, and the end of second year.

Median scores for both classes were low at all points. The proportion of students scoring in the moderate or severely depressed range increased from 5.8% at matriculation to 10.5% by end of Year 2 for the Class of 2004, and from 5.1% to 11.9% over the same time period for the Class of 2005. Overall, 75-83% of students at every administration scored in the lowest BDI score range.

The percentage of medical students who experience depressed mood increased over time, but to a lesser degree than in previous studies.