Mayeda Kamaly
Instructor: Deeadra Brown
Writing for the sciences
03/06/2023
The Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout Among Physician Assistant Students: A Multi-Institutional Study
In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the mental health of healthcare professionals. Physician assistants (PAs) are no exception. PAs undergo rigorous training and often work long hours under high-stress conditions. A recent multi-institutional study examined the relationship between depression, anxiety, and burnout among physician assistant students and found some concerning trends. Depression, anxiety, and burnout are all common mental health issues that can significantly impact an individual’s well-being. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. While PA programs need to prioritize their students’ mental health, it is also essential for healthcare organizations to address the root causes of burnout, depression, and anxiety among healthcare professionals. This includes managing workloads, lack of support, and pay disparities. By addressing these underlying issues, healthcare organizations can create a more supportive and healthy work environment for all healthcare professionals.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. On the other hand, anxiety is a disorder characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness that can interfere with daily life. The study surveyed physician assistant students from six institutions across the United States, with 1,741 respondents. The researchers used validated scales to measure the severity of depression, anxiety, and burnout among the participants. They found that nearly 50% of physician assistant students reported symptoms of depression, while over 60% reported anxiety symptoms.
Additionally, over 70% of participants reported feeling burned out. The study also found that certain factors were associated with higher depression, anxiety, and burnout among physician assistant students. For example, female students were more likely to report symptoms of depression and burnout than male students. Students with a higher workload were also more likely to report signs of burnout, while those who reported feeling supported by their program had lower levels of burnout. These findings are particularly concerning given the demanding nature of the physician assistant profession.
Physician assistants work under high-stress conditions and are often responsible for critical tasks such as diagnosing and treating patients. Burnout and mental health issues can impact an individual’s well-being and ability to perform their job effectively. Physician assistant programs need to prioritize their students’ mental health and well-being. Programs should provide resources and support to help students manage stress and cope with mental health issues. This could include offering counseling services, providing physical exercise and relaxation opportunities, and creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking help. It’s also essential for individuals to recognize the signs of depression, anxiety, and burnout and seek help if needed. Mental health issues are common and treatable, and seeking help early can prevent them from becoming more severe. Physician assistant students should be encouraged to prioritize their mental health and seek support if they struggle. One possible explanation for the high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout among physician assistant students is the profession’s intense academic and clinical demands. Physician assistant programs typically involve a rigorous curriculum, including classroom and clinical training.
Students may also be required to complete several clinical hours before graduating. This can be particularly challenging for students juggling other responsibilities, such as work and family obligations. In addition to academics and clinical demands, other factors may contribute to the high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout among physician assistant students. For example, the study found that female students were more likely to report symptoms of depression and burnout than male students. This may be due to various factors, including gender-based discrimination or societal expectations of women. One approach to addressing these issues is implementing resilience training programs. Resilience training aims to teach healthcare professionals how to manage stress better and cope with difficult situations. By providing healthcare professionals with tools to manage stress better, organizations can reduce the incidence of burnout, depression, and anxiety.
Another potential solution is to increase mental health resources for healthcare professionals. PA programs and healthcare organizations should provide access to counseling services, employee assistance programs, and other resources to support their staff’s mental health and well-being. By providing these resources, healthcare organizations can help their team manage mental health issues and prevent them from impacting work performance and patient care.
Finally, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the healthcare industry is essential. Healthcare professionals may hesitate to seek help for mental health issues due to fear of judgment or professional repercussions. By creating a culture of support and understanding around mental health issues, healthcare organizations can encourage their staff to seek help and reduce the negative impact of mental health issues in the workplace.
In conclusion, the relationship between depression, anxiety, and burnout among PA students highlights the need for mental health support in the healthcare industry. While PA programs must prioritize their students’ mental health, healthcare organizations must also address the underlying.
Reference Page
The Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout Among Physician Assistant Students: A Multi-Institutional Study
Aimee K. Johnson a, *, Sarah R. Blackstone a, Ashley Skelly b, Whitney Simmons b a Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Available online 1 June 2020
