Prevalence of depression in psychiatry trainees in 22 countries: Findings from the international burnout syndrome study (BoSS)

Abstract

Aims

The Burnout Syndrome Study screened for burnout in psychiatric trainees in 22 countries, along with associated factors. This paper reports the results of the PHQ-9 depression screen that formed part of the study.

Background

It is well documented that physicians have higher rates of mental illness compared to the general population. Post-graduate medical trainees may work long hours and be exposed to stressful or saddening situations regularly. Their environment and workload means they may not exhibit appropriate help-seeking behaviours and be at significant risk of depression.

Methods

The study used a cross sectional, multi-country online survey. Participants were asked to participate via an email invitation. The participants were asked to complete the PHQ-9 questionnaire, which is validated as a primary care self-administered screen for depression. Mixed methodology was used when recruiting trainees to obtain the most representative sample possible from each country. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results

Complete data was obtained from 1980 trainees with an average age of 31.9 years and with 2.8 years of training. The prevalence of depression in psychiatric trainees varied by country from 50% in Latvia to 7.1% in Belarus. The average rate of depression was 20.8%.

Conclusions

Prevalence of depression in the US general population is estimated at 6.7%, making the prevalence of depression in trainees of 20.8% a sign that action needs to be taken to reduce depression rates in trainees.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.