Junior doctors in their first year: mental health, quality of life, burnout and heart rate variability

• DOI: 10.1007/s40037-013-0075-y
• Publication Date: 2013-08-08T08:42:56Z
• Authors: Marcus A. Henning; John Sollers; Joanna M. Strom; Andrew G. Hill; Mataroria P. Lyndon; David Cumin; Susan J. Hawken
• Keywords: Depression

There is a burgeoning interest in, and evidence of, quality of life burnout issues among doctors. It was hypothesized that the junior doctors in this study would experience psychosocial physiological changes over time, obtained measures indicate anomalies. In addition, it their perceptions be significantly associated with measures. A total sample 17 first year training volunteered for study. Over four time periods separated by 6 week phases, completed set inventories wore Polar RS800 Heart Rate Monitor day night interval. The findings showed did not report any problems depression, anxiety, stress, or (psychosocial measures). heart rate variability scores (physiological measures) show significant fluctuations. Furthermore, responses from self-report instruments measuring consistently correlate HRV information suggesting mind-body disconnection. More work needs to done on larger samples investigate these further given literature shows are likely stressed working stress-provoking environments.