When investigating depression and anxiety in undergraduate medical students timing of assessment is an important factor - a multicentre cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Symptoms of depression and anxiety experienced by undergraduate medical students have become a prominent concern. Evidence about students' depression and anxiety including prevalence, trajectory during medical education, gender differences and comparisons with age-matched peers is conflicting. However few studies of medical students' mental health specify the precise time of assessment. Proximity to examinations may be relevant. Precise identification of the time of data collection might help explain contradictory findings and facilitate provision of more timely support.

Methods

This study addressed whether: 1)Proximity of final examinations affected students' depression and anxiety symptoms2)Males and females differed in this respect. We analysed data provided by

SUBMITTER: Thiemann P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7181528 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature