title: Experiences of Psychological Distress and Sources of Stress and Support During Medical Training: a Survey of Medical Students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors examine the prevalence of psychological distress, the stressors experienced, and the supports used by medical students and residents during their medical training at a Canadian university.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used an online survey that included a standardized instrument to evaluate psychological distress (Kessler-10) and Likert-based survey items that examined stress levels related to family relationships, living accommodations, commuting, finances, and program requirements. Depressive symptoms, substance use, and suicidal ideation were also measured, as were supports accessed (e.g., counseling) and students' perceptions of the overall supportiveness of the university. Non-parametric descriptive statistics were used to examine the prevalence of psychological distress, sources of stress, and supports accessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveys were received from 381 students (37% response). Most students (60%) reported normal levels of psychological distress on the K10 (M = 19.5, SD = 6.25), and a subgroup reported high to very high levels of psychological distress. A small number also reported substance use, symptoms of depression, and/or suicidal ideation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that students experience psychological distress from a number of stressors and suggest that medical schools should act as key partners in supporting student well-being by promoting self-care, educating students on the risks of burnout, and developing programs to support at-risk students.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. kmatheson@cheo.on.ca.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landine
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McLuckie
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Nerissa Li-Weh
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burnout; Medical students; Psychological distress