Characteristics Associated with Depression and Suicidal Thoughts Among Medical Residents: Results from the DEPRESS-Ohio Study
depression; Licensure; No terms assigned; Residents; Treatment; Wellness
OBJECTIVE: This study describes the characteristics that are associated with depression in residents and also examines resident perception of available mental health support. METHODS: Residents and their program directors from each of 10 specialties across all academic training institutions in Ohio were electronically surveyed over a 2-month period. Generalized logistic regression was used to test for association between risk factors and depression and, among depressed residents, with suicidal thoughts. RESULTS: Using the PHQ-9, 19% of residents met criteria for at least moderate depression and 31.1% of depressed residents had suicidal thoughts. Over 70% of depressed residents were not receiving treatment, including 70% of depressed residents with suicidal thoughts. Residents who were unaware of wellness programming or did not believe their program director would be supportive of a depressed resident were significantly more likely to be depressed. Residents who believed depression treatment would negatively impact medical licensure were significantly more likely to be depressed. Male program directors and those in their position for fewer than 5 years were significantly more likely to have depressed residents in their program. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of depressed residents have suicidal thoughts, and most are not receiving treatment. Depressed residents may perceive the availability of support from their program director differently than their non-depressed colleagues, and may perceive greater risk to medical licensure if they seek treatment.
Levy Alan B; Nahhas Ramzi W; Sampang Suzanne; Jacobs Karen; Weston Christina; Cerny-Suelzer Cathleen; Riese Amy; Munetz Mark R; Shaw Janet
Academic Psychiatry: The Journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry
2019
2019-07
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-019-01089-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1007/s40596-019-01089-9</a>
Perceptions of Residents and Their Training Directors Regarding Wellness Education, Program Support, and Access to Depression Treatment: the DEPRESS-Ohio Study
Depression; Medical licensure; Program director; Residency; Wellness
OBJECTIVE: This study determines the extent to which residents and their program directors have discordant perceptions regarding wellness, support, and treatment opportunities for trainees. In addition, the authors examined whether psychiatry residents differed in their perceptions compared with residents in other specialties. METHODS: Residents and their program directors from each of 10 specialties were electronically surveyed after IRB approval and giving informed consent. RESULTS: Of 42 program directors responding, over 92% indicated they provided wellness education and programming; however, a significantly lower percentage of 822 trainees were aware of this (81.2% and 74.9%, respectively). A similar disparity existed between program directors (PDs) who knew where to refer depressed residents for help (92.9%) and residents who knew where to seek help (71%). Moreover, 83.3% of program directors believed they could comfortably discuss depression with a depressed resident, but a lower percentage of their trainees (69.1%) felt their training directors would be supportive. A significantly greater percentage of program directors (40.5%) believed seeking treatment for depression might compromise medical licensure than did residents (13.0%). Psychiatry residents were significantly more aware of wellness, support, and access than were residents from other specialties. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of wellness education, programming, program director accessibility, and knowing where to ask for help if depressed does not seem to be adequately communicated to many residents. Moreover, program directors disproportionately see depression treatment as a risk to medical licensure compared with their residents. Psychiatry residents seem to be more aware of program director support and access to care than their colleagues.
Levy Alan B; Nahhas Ramzi W; Sampang Suzanne; Jacobs Karen; Weston Christina; Cerny-Suelzer Cathleen; Riese Amy; Niedermier Julie; Munetz Mark R; Shaw Janet; Mast Ryan
Academic Psychiatry: The Journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry
2019
2019-04
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-019-01067-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1007/s40596-019-01067-1</a>