Study: Medical Students More Depressed Than General Population

A large-scale study suggests that 21.2 percent of medical students suffer from depression, compared with the 10 percent rate commonly reported for the general population, Inside Higher Ed reports. The study, a survey of 2,000 students that was reported in Academic Medicine, also said that black medical students are particularly prone to suicidal thoughts, with 13 percent reporting "suicidal ideation," versus 5.7 percent of the general population.

More stats:

For medical students, the highest rates of depression—nearly 25 percent—occurred in the second year of study. For residents, the third year proved the most perilous, with 14.6 percent reporting depression.

Over all, medical students reported rates of depression nearly twice as high as those of residents. Of the sample, nearly 22 percent of medical students exhibited signs of depression, compared with about 12 percent of residents.

There were also significant differences in responses based on gender. Women had a 21.6 percent depression rate, compared with a 15.6 percent rate for men.