A Growing Number of Medical Students Are Experiencing Record Level Burnout

Mental health is a widely discussed topic in modern society as issues with well-being become more prevalent and complex.

Of particular concern in the medical education space is the issue of student burnout.  

According to an AMA Council on Medical Education report, nearly 50% of U.S. medical students experience burnout and are more likely than their non-medical peers to experience depression. 

Unaddressed burnout can lead to severe consequences, including elevated risk of suicidal ideation, death and/or compromised patient care quality.  

Faculty can play a crucial role in supporting their students’ mental well-being, but how can they best provide this support? 

What Is Burnout?

According to the National Academy of Medicine, burnout is a syndrome, characterized by a high degree of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a low sense of personal accomplishment.     

Although symptoms of burnout vary from person-to-person, some of the classic indications to look out for are: 

• Increased exhaustion  
• Lack of motivation and interest in studies 
• Trouble concentrating  
• Reduced academic & clinical performance  
• Feelings of anxiety & depression  
• Frequent physical illness  

Burnout can result from an amalgam of factors like: 

• High performance expectations & the rigor of medical education 
• Excessive workload & long study/clinical hours 
• Lack of work-life balance  
• Financial burdens 
• Stress of dealing with challenging patient encounters 

How Can Faculty Support?

The methods faculty can use to foster a positive mental space for students are endless. Here are 5 ideas to kickstart progress in providing students the support they need. 

1. Pass/Fail Curriculum

A growing number of medical schools have reformatted their assessment model to pass-fail and it’s proven to have a positive effect on student well-being. With this model, students tend to experience less stress & performance angst.  

2. Interactive Learning Environments

When students understand their lesson material, they’re more inclined to actively participate in lectures & experience an overall boost to their confidence & mental well-being. Incorporating interactive learning aids into lesson plans can make for more complete & efficient study sessions, alleviating any concerns around unpreparedness. 

3. Offer Free Resources

Managing exorbitant medical education expenses can be quite a daunting task for students, especially those with challenging financial situations. Providing students with supplemental educational resources, free of charge, can relieve them of additional financial burdens and equal the playing field across socioeconomic backgrounds. 

4. Facilitate Support Groups

Setting up support groups can help students build positive relationships with peers who are enduring similar struggles or have shared interests. Support groups can also reduce the feelings of isolation and remove the stigma of burnout symptoms, which improves well-being. Most importantly, in order to draw student participation in support groups, educators & clinical leaders must present an environment that promotes burnout assistance as a strength and not a weakness.  

5. Set The Tone For Healthy Habits

Adjust the learning atmosphere for healthy habits by providing opportunities for students to pursue them. Some examples are –providing rest days, incorporating light exercise or relaxation breathing in class, and providing free or low-cost healthy/mindfulness options. This approach will not only demonstrate to students that their educators care about their well-being but will encourage them to improve their management of their mental health on their own.  

McGraw Hill offers a comprehensive suite of interactive learning products that may help faculty tackle some of the recommended mental health support ideas. Our products support students’ learning needs from pre-clinical to clinical years and beyond. 

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