Depressive symptoms and associated factors in medical interns at a tertiary hospital
South African Journal of Psychiatry
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Depressive symptoms and associated factors in medical interns at a tertiary hospital | |
| Creator | Naidu, Kaveshin Torline, John R. Henry, Michelle Thornton, Helena B. | |
| Description | Background: It is known that medical doctors suffer from increased rates of depression with medical interns being most at risk. Despite this, little is known about the prevalence of depression in interns in South Africa.Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms in interns employed at Groote Schuur Hospital, a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape.Method: The study was a cross-sectional study. All 91 interns were invited to participate in the study and consenting interns were required to complete a demographic and related questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-2).Results: Fifty-four (59.3%) of all invited interns participated in the study. Twenty-two interns (40.7%) reported a BDI-2 score of 14 or greater, indicating at least mild self-reported symptoms of depression. Features associated with a BDI-2 score of 14 or greater, included female gender, a previous diagnosis of depression, seeing a psychotherapist and previously being on antidepressant medication during internship. Other features also significantly associated with higher BDI-2 scores included suicidal ideation, thoughts of emigration, wanting to leave medicine and using substances to cope. The most significant associated feature of high BDI-2 scores was a subjective feeling of being ‘burnt out’.Conclusion: Interns had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms when compared to the general population. The feeling of being ‘burnt out’ was the most significant factor associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. It is imperative that the mental health of both medical students and newly qualified doctors be prioritised, supported and monitored. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2019-07-04 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v25i0.1322 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Psychiatry; Vol 25 (2019); 8 pages 2078-6786 1608-9685 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1322/1443
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1322/1442
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1322/1444
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1322/1441
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/downloadSuppFile/1322/976
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