Interns' depressive symptoms evolution and training aspects: a prospective cohort study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychiatry
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Medical residency is a critical training period for physicians.
• Interns face unique stressors that may impact their mental health.
• Understanding depression incidence and contributing factors is vital for intern well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of depression symptoms among first-year medical residents.
• To investigate the correlation between occupational characteristics, training satisfaction, and stress with depression symptoms.
• To identify factors within the training program that influence intern mental health.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving 166 first-year medical residents.
• Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an occupational questionnaire.
• Linear regression models were used to analyze BDI score variations against socio-demographic and occupational factors.

Main Results:

• Out of 111 participants (67% response rate), the mean BDI score increased significantly over 8 months (2.75 to 7.00, p<0.0001).
• The incidence of depressive symptoms (BDI score > 15) was 9.01%.
• Dissatisfaction with training, personal life, relationships with senior residents, and the nursing team were significantly associated with increased BDI scores.

Conclusions:

• Occupational characteristics and training environment significantly influence depression symptoms in medical interns.
• Addressing dissatisfaction and stress related to the training program is crucial for improving intern mental health.
• Training facilities should proactively support intern well-being by mitigating these identified stressors.