Prevalence of common mental disorders among Dutch medical students and related use and need of mental health care: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to assess common mental disorders and the related use and need for mental health care among clinically not yet active and clinically active medical students.


METHODS
All medical students (n=2266) at one Dutch medical university were approached. Students from study years 1-4 were defined as clinically not yet active and students from study years 5 and 6 as clinically active. An electronic survey was used to detect common mental disorders depression (BSI-DEP), anxiety (BSI-ANG), stress (4DSQ) and post-traumatic stress disorder (IES). The use of mental health services in the past 3 months and the need for mental health services were asked for. The prevalence of common mental disorders, the use and need for mental health services and differences between groups were calculated.


RESULTS
The response rate was 52%: 814 clinically not yet active and 316 clinically active students. The prevalence of common mental disorders among clinically not yet active and clinically active students was 54% and 48%, respectively. The use of mental health services was 14% in clinically not yet active and 12% in clinically active students with common mental disorders (n.s.). The need for mental health services by clinically not yet active and clinically active students was 52% and 46%, respectively (n.s.).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of probable common mental disorders are higher among clinically not yet active than among clinically active students. The need of mental health services exceeds use, but is the same in the two groups of students.
Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Roxanne
R
Gaspersz
Monique H W
MH
Frings-Dresen
Judith K
JK
Sluiter
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010358:Patient Participation; D015995:Prevalence; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult