Burnout and Serious Thoughts of Dropping Out of Medical School: A Multi-Institutional Study

• DOI: 10.1097/acm.0b013e3181c46aad
• Publication Date: 2009-12-23T08:17:19Z
• Authors: Liselotte N. Dyrbye; Matthew R. Thomas; David V. Power; Steven Durning; Christine Moutier; F Stanford Massie; William Harper; Anne Eacker; Daniel W. Szydlo; Jeff A. Sloan; Tait D. Shanafelt
• Keywords: Depression; Odds

Little is known about students who seriously consider dropping out of medical school. The authors assessed the severity thoughts and explored relationship such with burnout other indicators distress.The surveyed attending five schools in 2006 2007 (prospective cohort) included two additional (cross-sectional cohort). survey questions out, life events previous 12 months, validated instruments evaluating burnout, depression symptoms, quality (QOL).Data were provided by 858 (65%) prospective cohort 2,248 (52%) cross-sectional cohort. Of 2,222 respondents, 243 (11%) indicated having serious within last year. Burnout (P < .0001), QOL .003 each domain), depressive symptoms .0001) at baseline predicted during following Each one-point increase emotional exhaustion depersonalization score decrease personal accomplishment was associated a 7% odds On subsequent confirmatory multivariable analysis, low scores for accomplishment, lower mental physical QOL, children independent predictors year.Approximately 11% have school seems to be increased likelihood out.