Comparison of Suicidal Ideation and Depressive Symptoms Between Medical and Pharmacy Students
| Autor: | Kelly C. Lee, Robin Huang, Ilanit R. Tal, Nancy Downs, Sidney Zisook |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
pharmacy
Pediatric Research Initiative medical Education Suicidal Ideation Clinical Research 2.3 Psychological Behavioral and Social Science Humans General Pharmacology Toxicology and Pharmaceutics Aetiology Students Retrospective Studies Depression Prevention Research General Medicine Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Services Suicide Cross-Sectional Studies Mental Health Good Health and Well Being social and economic factors Curriculum and Pedagogy |
| Zdroj: | Am J Pharm Educ American journal of pharmaceutical education, vol 87, iss 2 |
| ISSN: | 1553-6467 |
| Popis: | Objective. The purpose of the study was to compare suicidal ideation among medical and pharmacy students and characterize related symptoms. Methods. The authors conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective study to compare suicidal ideation among medical and pharmacy students at a single public university during 2009 to 2020. Respondents’ voluntary and anonymous responses to the Interactive Screening Program (ISP) Stress and Depression Questionnaire are reported. Results. The authors analyzed responses from 619 medical and 214 pharmacy students collected over 11 academic years. There was no significant difference between medical and pharmacy students who endorsed suicidal ideation (13.5% vs 17.3%, respectively). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were significantly different between medical and pharmacy students, with more pharmacy students reporting moderate to severe depression (24.3% for medical vs 35.1% for pharmacy). Compared to medical students, more pharmacy students also endorsed anhedonia, a reduced capacity for pleasure (13.4% vs 24.3%, respectively), sleep problems (29.6% vs 42.6%, respectively), and fatigue (46% vs 64.4%, respectively). Pharmacy students also reported more intense affective states such as “feeling your life is too stressful” and “feeling intensely anxious or having anxiety attacks.” Relationships and physical/mental health/substance abuse were common themes that emerged from the qualitative data. Conclusion. While there was no significant difference in suicidal ideation between pharmacy and medical students, the prevalence is alarming compared to the general population. More pharmacy students endorsed symptoms of depression and intense affective states that could impair functioning. Future studies may focus on mitigation strategies for suicidal ideation among health professions students. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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