Is medical training solely to blame? Generational influences on the mental health of our medical trainees.

Journal: Medical education online

Volume: 29

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Medical Education, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Department of Population Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands. School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Abstract summary 

The negative impact of medical training on trainee mental health continues to be a concern. Situated within a sociocultural milieu, Generation Z and Generation Y, defined by their highly involved parents and the widespread use of technology, currently dominate undergraduate and graduate medical education respectively. It is necessary to explore medical trainees' generational characteristics and job-related factors related to stress, burnout, depression, and resilience. This might provide different perspectives and potential solutions to medical trainees' mental health.A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical trainees (students and residents) from two institutions in Qatar. A self-administered online survey included measures for trainees' social media overuse, their parent's parenting style, the educational support by the clinical teacher, job (demands, control, and support), and work-life balance and their relation with their stress, burnout, depression, and resilience. Relationships were tested with multiple linear regression analyses.Of the 326 medical trainees who responded, 142 (44%) trainees - 93 students and 49 residents - completed all items and were included in the analysis. Social media overuse and inability to maintain a work-life balance were associated with higher levels of stress, depression, and student burnout. Higher levels of job support were associated with lower levels of stress, depression, and resident burnout, and a higher level of resilience. Job control was associated with lower burnout levels. Parenting style was unrelated to trainees' mental health.The two generations 'Y' and 'Z' dominating current medical training showed more stress-related complaints when there is evidence of social media overuse and failure to maintain a work-life balance, while job support counterbalances this, whereas parenting style showed no effect. Measures to enhance medical trainees' mental health may include education about the wise use of social media, encouraging spending more quality social time, and enhancing job support and job control.

Authors & Co-authors:  Suliman Allen Chivese de Rijk Koopmans Könings

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Dyrbye LN, Thomas MR, Massie FS, et al. Burnout and suicidal ideation among US medical students. Ann Internal Med. 2008;149(5):334–11. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-149-5-200809020-00008
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 2329404
SSN : 1087-2981
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Medical students; residents;burnout;depression;mental health;parenting style;social media
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States