Rates of depressive symptoms among pharmacy residents

Results of a survey-based study assessing rates of depression and depressive symptoms among pharmacy residents are reported.

In a time-series study conducted during the 2015-16 residency year, pharmacy residents nationwide were invited to participate in a series of online surveys (administered in September and December 2015 and March 2016). Survey participants reported demographic data and provided information on residency characteristics and perceived family and program support; the survey incorporated the 9-item depression screening component of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics were used to estimate rates of depression and depressive symptoms.

There were 633, 542, and 749 respondents to the September, December, and March surveys, respectively, for an overall response rate of 20.5%. The mean age of respondents was 26.9 years. Among respondents to the March survey, 39.9% (95% confidence interval, 36.2-43.2%) reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. The rate of severe depressive symptoms (as measured by PHQ-9 scores) increased from 3.2% in the September survey to 7.8% in the March survey (p < 0.05); rates of self-reported low depressive symptoms decreased over the same time period (p < 0.05). By comparison, rates of depressive symptoms in medical residents have been reported to be in the range of 30%.

A survey of pharmacy residents found that the rate of depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9, was higher than reported rates in the U.S. general population.