The State of Mental Health in Medical Students in 2023 from 18 Countries

In recent years, it is increasingly apparent that medical students are particularly susceptible to mental health problems. The most recent cohort of medical students experienced the effects of COVID-19 prior to matriculating into their programs, a critical period for their transition to adulthood. This study aims to quantify these effects alongside the current mental well-being of students.

In Fall 2023, participants from 18 countries were recruited from the International Collaboration and Exchange Program (ICEP), a global networking program for health professions students. An online survey was distributed to gather insights into their overall mental health and primary sources of stress. Validated questionnaires were used to assess mental well-being: Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12), and CAGE questionnaire, a screening test for problematic alcohol consumption.

Of 507 ICEP participants, 357 (70.4%) responded to the survey. Results revealed that 52.1% of participants identified academic studies as their primary source of stress. The OLBI screened 36.3%, 50.1%, and 50.1% positive for burnout, disengagement, and exhaustion, respectively. The GHQ-12 identified 33.1% of participants to be in psychological distress, and the CAGE showed 5.9% of participants had experienced issues with alcohol.

These results indicate that a significant percentage of participants experienced symptoms indicative of poor mental well-being, a consistent finding across the regions studied. Given the diverse regions captured in this sample, these findings warrant further attention.