Assessing Trends in Physician Assistant Student Depression Risk, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess how physician assistant (PA) student depression risk, suicidal ideation, and mental health help-seeking behaviors change during didactic training and the relationship between depression risk and demographic factors.Methods Data were obtained through an anonymous online survey sent to didactic students in 7 PA programs during orientation and again at midpoint of the didactic year. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-testing, and one-way ANOVA analyses were used to assess trends in patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores over the 6month time period. The PHQ-9 is the module of the PHQ that measures severity of depression risk. ResultsThe orientation survey response rate was 82.7% (287/ 347) and the midpoint survey response rate was 62% (217/ 350). Analysis revealed that mean PHQ-9 scores increased significantly from 2.49 to 6.42 (p < 0.001) from orientation to midpoint of the didactic year, with 18.9% of students having scores of 10 or greater at midpoint compared to 4.5% at orientation. Thoughts of self-harm and/or suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks also increased from 3.5% to 7.4% during the same time frame. Additionally, students' likelihood of seeking mental health help decreased between orientation and midpoint despite the concurrent increases in depression risk and suicidal ideation. ConclusionRising PHQ-9 scores indicated an increased risk of major depression among didactic-year PA students. Further research on early screening methods and factors that encourage help-seeking behaviors may serve to inform programs about how to create learning environments that mitigate depression risk and promote wellbeing during professional training.

Women’s Participation in a Savings Group and Depression: a Community-Based Financial Capability Intervention in Mozambique

“…A study on teenagers’ attitudes toward suicidality suggested those with higher adaptive help-seeking behaviors had a low-risk score for suicide compared to those with less adaptive help-seeking behaviors (Gould et al, 2004 ). Studies from New Zealand showed statistically a significant and inverse relationship between the lower level of help-seeking intention and higher-level suicidal ideation among youth (Carlton & Deane, 2000 ; Neary et al, 2021 ). Neary et al ( 2021 ) also suggested the intervening effects of help-seeking in improving wellbeing by lessening depression risk among physicians and professional medical trainers.…”

“…Studies from New Zealand showed statistically a significant and inverse relationship between the lower level of help-seeking intention and higher-level suicidal ideation among youth (Carlton & Deane, 2000 ; Neary et al, 2021 ). Neary et al ( 2021 ) also suggested the intervening effects of help-seeking in improving wellbeing by lessening depression risk among physicians and professional medical trainers.…”

Acknowledging the risk of suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety in PAs

“…3 Physician associate/assistant (PA) students may have similar rates of depression to medical students; 25% are at risk for moderate to severe depression. 4 In physicians in residency or a fellowship, 28% experience at least one major depressive disorder. 5 PAs may have lower rates of risk of depression, with a recent study showing 14% of PAs at risk for moderate to severe depression.…”

“…5 PAs may have lower rates of risk of depression, with a recent study showing 14% of PAs at risk for moderate to severe depression. 4 Among US adults in 2001-2003, 19% had any anxiety disorder in the past year, although that varies by sex (23% female, 14% male). 6 A meta-analysis on anxiety disorders didactic year.…”

“…A systematic review showed that about 25% of medical students may have depression 3. Physician associate/assistant (PA) students may have similar rates of depression to medical students; 25% are at risk for moderate to severe depression 4. In physicians in residency or a fellowship, 28% experience at least one major depressive disorder 5.…”