Over a quarter of resident physicians experience depression or depressive symptoms, according to a meta-analysis in JAMA's theme issue on medical education. Researchers examined data from over 50 cross-sectional or longitudinal studies in which nearly 18,000 resident physicians (mostly in North America) were assessed for depressive symptoms via structured interviews or validated questionnaires. The overall prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms was 29% (range, 21%–43%). The prevalence increased with each calendar year (from 1972 to 2012). In a secondary analysis of seven longitudinal studies that reported on depressive symptoms before and during residency, the median absolute increase in depression prevalence after residency began was 16%. In an editorial, Dr. Thomas Schwenk of NEJM Journal Watch General Medicine calls the reported prevalence of depression among residents "extraordinarily high," noting that the lifetime prevalence in the general population is 16%. He concludes, "The time is long overdue for a national conversation on the fundamental structure and function of the graduate medical education system." Other studies in this issue of JAMA examine the intended scope of practice among family medicine residents, medical students' presence in the emergency department and patient length of stay, and training physicians to provide high-value care. Source
