Should physician training centers offer formal psychiatric assistance to house officers? A report on the major findings of a prototype program

Resident Mental Health Care: a Timely and Necessary Resource

OBJECTIVE

Residency training is associated with stress and burnout that can contribute to poor mental health, yet many residents do not get the help needed. While some healthcare institutions provide mental health services specifically for residents, literature has documented few examples. The objective of this study was to investigate the utilization and patient characteristics of a resident mental health program.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective records analysis of residents who utilized outpatient mental health services through the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Emotional Health and Wellness Program for House Staff from 2010 to 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 158 resident patient charts were reviewed. Utilization was highest for females, first years, and general internal medicine residents. Initial help-seeking was most common for summer, winter, and intern year. The most frequent diagnoses were adjustment, depressive, and anxiety disorders. Of residents who completed screening tools, 43% screened positive for moderate to severe depression, 11% screened positive for hazardous alcohol consumption, and 15% endorsed thoughts of death or suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

Resident physicians manifest psychiatric symptoms, mental disorders, and suicidal ideation that require treatment and intervention. Yet, a minority of residents make use of services. This data emphasizes the need to promote help-seeking behaviors among residents and ensure timely access to comprehensive mental health services.

The "problem" learner: whose problem is it? AMEE Guide No. 76

Clinical teachers often work with students or residents whom they perceive as a "problem". For some, it is a knowledge deficit that first alerts them to a problem; for others it is an attitudinal problem or distressing behaviour . And in some cases, it is difficult to know if the learner is, indeed, presenting with a problem. The goal of this Guide is to outline a framework for working with "problem" learners. This includes strategies for identifying and defining learners' problems, designing and implementing appropriate interventions, and assuring due process. The potential stress of medical school and residency training will also be addressed, as will a number of prevention strategies. Identifying learners' problems early - and providing guidance from the outset - can be an important investment in the training and development of future health professionals. It is hoped that this Guide will be of help to clinical teachers, program directors and faculty developers.

Depressive symptoms in medical students and residents: a multischool study

BACKGROUND

This multisite, anonymous study assessed depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in medical trainees (medical students and residents).

METHOD

In 2003-2004, the authors surveyed medical trainees at six sites. Surveys included content from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) (measures for depression), as well as demographic content. Rates of reported major and minor depression and of suicidal ideation were calculated. Responses were compared by level of training, gender, and ethnicity.

RESULTS

More than 2,000 medical students and residents responded, for an overall response rate of 89%. Based on categorical levels from the CES-D, 12% had probable major depression and 9.2% had probable mild/moderate depression. There were significant differences in depression by trainee level, with a higher rate among medical students; and gender, with higher rates among women (chi2 = 10.42, df = 2, and P = .005 and chi2 = 22.1, df = 2, and P < .001, respectively). Nearly 6% reported suicidal ideation, with differences by trainee level, with a higher rate among medical students; and ethnicity, with the highest rate among black/African American respondents and the lowest among Caucasian respondents (chi2 = 5.19, df = 1, and P = .023 and chi2 = 10.42, df = 3, and P = .015, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Depression remains a significant issue for medical trainees. This study highlights the importance of ongoing mental health assessment, treatment, and education for medical trainees.

Mental health in three generations of Iranian medical students and doctors. A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Despite research in Western countries finding high levels of psychological morbidity in medical students and doctors, little is known about difficulties faced by medical staff in the Middle East. The aim of the present study was to assess emotional disturbance and interpersonal attitudes in a representative sample of Iranian medical students and practitioners.

METHOD

A total of 82 medical students, 92 interns and 89 general practitioners (GPs) participated in the study. Participants rated the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a measure of interpersonal attitudes.

RESULTS

A total of 44% of participants scored above the threshold of the GHQ-28, indicating probable psychiatric disorder. The GHQ-28 scores were higher in students than interns or GPs and in women compared with men. Medical students and doctors had high levels of indifference and cynicism.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that psychological morbidity was common in Iranian medical students and practitioners, particularly women. Women were at particular risk. A high prevalence of emotional disturbance among health care practitioners is likely to compound existing problems of health care provision.

Combating the stress of residency: one school's approach

Residency is a time of stress and turmoil for many residents. The stresses are varied and great, often involving both personal and professional issues. One institutional mechanism that has been shown to help residents cope with stress is the use of residents' wellness, or assistance, programs. The University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine developed the USF Residency Assistance Program (RAP) in 1997, modeled after business employee assistance programs but tailored to enhance the well-being of residents. The program was developed in an organized, thoughtful manner starting with a Request for Proposals to all local employee assistance programs and the selection of one of these to run the program. The RAP is broad-based, readily available, easily accessible, totally voluntary and confidential, and not reportable to the state board of medicine. It is well integrated into all residency programs and has had excellent acceptance from the administration; information about access to the RAP is available to all residents through multiple venues. The cost is minimal, at only seven cents a day per resident. The authors present data from the eight years the RAP has been operating, including information on program use, referral rates, acceptance, and types of problems encountered. One suicide occurred during this time period, and the RAP provided a significant role in grief counseling. Assistance programs are critical to the well-being of residents. The USF program presents a model that can be used by other programs around the country.

The mental health of graduate students at the Federal University of São Paulo: a preliminary report

We present data regarding the care provided to graduate level health professionals at the mental health center of the Federal University of São Paulo. From September 1996 to September 2003, 146 graduate students (99 in the Master's degree program and 47 in the Doctoral program) were attended. This population was predominantly female (68.5%), with a mean (+/- SD) age of 28.6 +/- 4.42 years, not married (71.9%). Most of the subjects were professionals who had not graduated from the Federal University (78.1%). The students who sought help for psychological and/or psychiatric problems were classified into two categories: situational-adaptive crises and psychopathological crises. The main diagnoses were depression and anxiety disorders (44%) causing 4.5% of the subjects to be temporarily suspended from their graduate studies; 19.2% reported that they had used psychotropic drugs within the previous month, and 47.9% referred to sleep disturbances. Suicidal tendencies were mentioned by 18% of those interviewed. Students with emotional disturbances and academic dysfunctions should be recognized at an early stage, and it is fundamental for them to have access to mental health programs that provide formal, structured and confidential care. Thus, it is important that professors and advisors in graduate programs build a warm and affective learning environment. If we consider the expressive growth in Brazilian scientific production resulting from the implementation of an extensive national system of graduate education, it is important to focus efforts on enhancing and upgrading the mental health care system.

Mental health services for residents: more important than ever

The mental health of physicians in training is a topic of considerable concern. Recent attention to the issue of patient safety has led to examination of the relationship between residents' stress and compromised clinical performance. Few mental health programs dedicated to residents and formally structured to meet their specific needs are reported in the literature. The authors raise the question of why there are so few programs and why more residents don't take advantage of services that do exist. They then describe the development and utilization of the University of Michigan Health System's House Officer Mental Health Program. The program was structured to overcome barriers to utilization such as lack of funding, concerns about confidentiality, ease of access and residents' financial constraints and to provide comprehensive services for a wide range of diagnoses. Data are presented on the first four years of operation from 1997-01 that show increasing utilization and high levels of satisfaction over this time period by house officers at all levels of training and in all departments of the Health System. As increasing attention is paid to how to deal with medical errors, the establishment of such programs should be considered, not only as a means to address the general mental health of residents but also as an appropriate venue to deal with the stress that can contribute to and be induced by medical mishaps.

Clinical and demographic profile of users of a mental health system for medical residents and other health professionals undergoing training at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo

CONTEXT

A postgraduate and resident trainee mental health assistance center was created in September 1996 within our university.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and demographic profile of its users.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective.

SETTING

Universidade Federal de São Paulo--Escola Paulista de Medicina (Unifesp-EPM).

METHODS

The study was carried between September 1996 and November 2002, when 233 semi-structured registration forms were filled out either by the psychologist or the psychiatrist during their first contact with the trainees, who were medical and nursing residents, and postgraduate students at specialization, master or doctoral levels. The registration forms included demographic, occupational and clinical data.

RESULTS

The trainees were predominantly young (mean of 27 years old), single (82.0% of cases), women (79.4%), seeking help especially during the first year of training (63.1%). In 70.8% of the cases, they came to the service spontaneously. Such individuals showed greater adherence to the treatment than those who were referred by supervisors (p < 0.05). In 30% of the cases, the trainee sought psychological guidance or support at the service due to specific situational conflicts. Depression and anxiety disorders were the most frequent diagnoses; 22.3% of the trainees followed up mentioned a tendency towards suicidal thoughts. In comparison with other trainees, there was a higher prevalence of males among the medical residents (p < 0.01), with more cases of sleep disorders (p < 0.05), a smaller number of individuals refraining from the use of alcohol (p < 0.05) and a higher number of trainees requiring leave of absence (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

The first year of training in health sciences is the most stressful, especially for women. Depression and anxiety symptoms are common, reflecting transitory self-limited deadaptation. However, the severity of the cases can also be evaluated in view of the large number of trainees who mentioned suicidal tendencies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes the need and importance of providing formal, structured and confidential mental health services for medical residents and postgraduate students from other health professions, in the training programs of academic institutions.

Identifying and assisting the impaired physician

An impaired physician is one unable to fulfill professional or personal responsibilities because of psychiatric illness, alcoholism, or drug dependency. Current estimates are that approximately 15% of physicians will be impaired at some point in their careers. Although physicians may not have higher rates of impairment compared with other professionals, factors in their background, personality, and training may contribute and predispose them to drug abuse and mental illness, particularly depression. Many physicians possess a strong drive for achievement, exceptional conscientiousness, and an ability to deny personal problems. These attributes are advantageous for "success" in medicine; ironically, however, they may also predispose to impairment. Identifying impairment is often difficult because the manifestations are varied and physicians will typically suppress and deny any suggestion of a problem. Identification is essential because patient well-being may be at stake, and untreated impairment may result in loss of license, health problems, and even death. Fortunately, once identified and treated, physicians often do better in recovery than others and typically can return to a productive career and a satisfying personal and family life.

Factors in medical school that predict postgraduate mental health problems in need of treatment. A nationwide and longitudinal study

CONTEXT

Physicians show an increased prevalence of mental health problems, the first postgraduate years being particularly stressful.

OBJECTIVES

To study the prevalence of mental health problems during the fourth postgraduate year, and to investigate whether it is already possible to predict such problems at medical school.

SUBJECTS

A cohort of medical students (n=396) from all Norwegian universities, who were approached in their graduating semester (baseline) and in their fourth postgraduate year.

METHODS

A nationwide and longitudinal postal questionnaire survey, including measures of perceived mental health problems in need of treatment, personality, perceived stress and skills, and ways of coping. Data were analysed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Mental health problems in need of treatment during the fourth postgraduate year were reported by 17.2% (n=66), with no gender difference, possibly because of a higher prevalence among the men compared with the general population. A majority had not sought help. Univariate medical school predictors of mental health problems included: previous mental health problems; not being married/cohabitant; the personality traits 'vulnerability' (or neuroticism) and 'reality weakness'; perceived medical school stress, and lack of perceived diagnostic skills. In addition, the coping variables avoidance, blamed self and wishful thinking were univariate predictors. Multivariate analysis identified the following adjusted predictors: previous mental health problems; 'intensity' (extraversion); perceived medical school stress, and wishful thinking. Medical school variables were inadequate for predicting which individual students would experience postgraduate mental health deterioration. However, the perceived medical school stress instrument may be used for selecting a subgroup of students suitable for group-oriented interventions.

Mental health service for medical students

The authors describe the problem of impairment of medical students from the point of view of mental health professionals who have directed a large and successful evaluation and referral service for students suffering from a wide array of stress-related and mental disorders. They outline the nature of the impairment problems, the history of the efforts at their medical school to address these problems, and their recent experience in providing mental health services to students who are referred for evaluation and treatment. Diagnostic data, referral and the implications of mental disorders for medical students are discussed. The authors offer some suggestions for the formation of student well-being committees prior to the implementation of student assistance programmes to address the problems of substance abuse.

Biopsychosocial approach to the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic. A clinician's primer

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has created a multidimensional crisis that is challenging the health care system. Individuals with or without risk behaviors have anxieties about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and need support and counseling. Once symptoms of HIV infection develop, crisis intervention and support need to be integrated into ongoing medical care. A biopsychosocial approach enables persons with AIDS to develop strategies for coping, to improve adherence, and to prevent transmission and suicide. Persons with AIDS are confronted with severe illnesses, neuropsychiatric disorders, discrimination, and death. Each person deserves the best medical and psychologic care available and the services of other disciplines where indicated. Caregivers, anxious about contagion, are devastated by the complexity, severity, and multiplicity of the illnesses that comprise AIDS and the lack of adequate resources to combat the epidemic. AIDS is a paradigm of a medical illness that requires a biopsychosocial approach. Psychiatric sequelae complicate the HIV epidemic, affecting both the uninfected and infected. The psychiatric manifestations of the uninfected include anxiety, phobia, factitious disorder, delusions, and Munchausen's AIDS. Psychiatric disorders associated with HIV infection include organic mental disorders, substance abuse disorder, affective disorders, adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. The consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrist is in a unique position to clarify and treat the psychiatric complications and to provide leadership for multidisciplinary programs. The biopsychosocial approach enables persons with HIV infection, their loved ones, and caregivers to meet the challenges of the HIV epidemic with compassion, optimism, and dignity.

Mental illness in doctors

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Perceptions of housestaff stress and dysfunction within the academic medical center

Stress, emotional dysfunction, and work impairment are seen as accelerating phenomena in residency training, and have received increased attention in the medical literature. The authors review relevant literature in this area, and note continued deficiencies in programs for prevention and intervention. The present study focuses on the perceptions of key members of the academic hierarchy regarding housestaff stress and impairment. Chairmen, program directors, and chief residents in all specialties were asked to estimate the prevalence of several impairment syndromes, to describe any existing policies or programs to assist residents, and to express their opinions about developing such intervention strategies. The results are compared by respondent group, by resident postgraduate year, and by groupings of surgical and non-surgical programs. Suggestions for further research in this area are then offered.

Substance abuse among medical trainees: current problems and evolving resources

Substance abuse among medical students and residents, while not new, has increased in frequency, appears earlier, and is more apt to involve illicit drugs. In addition to these pathological changes, certain mental health resources for medical students have declined (although there is considerable variability from one location to another). These changes have stimulated certain innovative approaches to such problems. Both these recent problems as well as recent responses for dealing with them are presented.

Emotional distress in junior house officers

In a study of 170 junior house officers who were followed up from their fourth year in medical school mean levels of stress were higher than in other reported occupational groups, and the estimated prevalence of emotional disturbance was 50%, with 28% of the subjects showing evidence of depression. Nearly a fifth of the subjects reported occasional or frequent bouts of heavy drinking, a quarter took drugs for physical illness, and a few took drugs for recreation. Those who were emotionally distressed at the initial study and the follow up were more empathetic and more self critical than those who had low levels of stress on both occasions. Overwork was the most stressful aspect of their jobs, though the number of hours worked was not related to stress levels, unlike diet and sleep. The more stressed they were the more unfavourably they viewed aspects of their jobs. The incidence of distress is unacceptably high in junior house officers, and both they and the hospitals need to deal with the causes of the distress.