Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of mental health counseling services by medical students. Medical students experience high rates of burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Our medical school (Baylor) provides free professional counseling services. METHODS: The authors administered a survey that included a burnout scale; a depression screen; and questions about demographics, usage of counseling services, and helpful coping mechanisms for 526 first-through third-year students (336 respondents) at one school. RESULTS: Approximately 24% of students with high rates of burnout and 24% of students with depressive symptoms took advantage of counseling services at least once. Of the students who had not used counseling services, approximately 49% were found to have high rates of burnout in the domain of emotional exhaustion. Similarly, of the students who had not accessed counseling services, 56% had depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A large percentage of medical students across three classes did not use mental health counseling services provided by the school. Students should be clearly informed about the availability of counseling services and their potential utility. In addition, specific barriers to attendance should be identified and reduced.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 449-453 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Southern Medical Journal |
| Volume | 106 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2013 |
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Keywords
- Burnout
- Coping
- Counseling
- Depression
- Medical school
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Utilization of counseling services at one medical school. / Chang, Elaine; Eddins-folensbee, Florence; Porter, Ben; Coverdale, John.
In: Southern Medical Journal, Vol. 106, No. 8, 08.2013, p. 449-453.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Utilization of counseling services at one medical school
AU - Chang, Elaine
AU - Eddins-folensbee, Florence
AU - Porter, Ben
AU - Coverdale, John
PY - 2013/8
Y1 - 2013/8
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of mental health counseling services by medical students. Medical students experience high rates of burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Our medical school (Baylor) provides free professional counseling services. METHODS: The authors administered a survey that included a burnout scale; a depression screen; and questions about demographics, usage of counseling services, and helpful coping mechanisms for 526 first-through third-year students (336 respondents) at one school. RESULTS: Approximately 24% of students with high rates of burnout and 24% of students with depressive symptoms took advantage of counseling services at least once. Of the students who had not used counseling services, approximately 49% were found to have high rates of burnout in the domain of emotional exhaustion. Similarly, of the students who had not accessed counseling services, 56% had depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A large percentage of medical students across three classes did not use mental health counseling services provided by the school. Students should be clearly informed about the availability of counseling services and their potential utility. In addition, specific barriers to attendance should be identified and reduced.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of mental health counseling services by medical students. Medical students experience high rates of burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Our medical school (Baylor) provides free professional counseling services. METHODS: The authors administered a survey that included a burnout scale; a depression screen; and questions about demographics, usage of counseling services, and helpful coping mechanisms for 526 first-through third-year students (336 respondents) at one school. RESULTS: Approximately 24% of students with high rates of burnout and 24% of students with depressive symptoms took advantage of counseling services at least once. Of the students who had not used counseling services, approximately 49% were found to have high rates of burnout in the domain of emotional exhaustion. Similarly, of the students who had not accessed counseling services, 56% had depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A large percentage of medical students across three classes did not use mental health counseling services provided by the school. Students should be clearly informed about the availability of counseling services and their potential utility. In addition, specific barriers to attendance should be identified and reduced.
KW - Burnout
KW - Coping
KW - Counseling
KW - Depression
KW - Medical school
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84882311330&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84882311330&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3182a05994
DO - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3182a05994
M3 - Article
C2 - 23912137
AN - SCOPUS:84882311330
VL - 106
SP - 449
EP - 453
JO - Southern Medical Journal
JF - Southern Medical Journal
SN - 0038-4348
IS - 8
ER -