It is well-recognized that there is a high rate of burnout and even suicides among physicians.  The concern regarding mental health extends to medical students.  According to a recent commentary (JF Karp, AS Levine. NEJM 2018; 1196-8), “despite entering medical school with relatively good mental health, medical students become depressed, burned out, and suicidal at alarming rates.”  This is thought to be due to “demanding schedules, cost, and stigma” to obtain mental health services.

The editorial advocates for medical students: “Working closely with the physician-services divisions of large hospital systems may help schools and hospitals leverage resources and provide shared opportunities to improve the care of students, trainees, and faculty and staff physicians.”

Related blog posts on burnout:

• Physician Burnout ‘Hidden Crisis’
• Physician Burnout Spreading (Part 1)
• Physician Burnout Spreading (Part 2)
• Addressing Physician Burnout
• Increasing Rates of Professional Burnout
• The burden of being a physician | gutsandgrowth
• MD Job Dissatisfaction –Million $ Mistake? | gutsandgrowth
• Off-Duty Doctors and Family Obligations | gutsandgrowth
• “It is never boring to be a physician” | gutsandgrowth
• Working While Sick: Red Badge of Courage or Scarlet Letter?

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