Mental Health of Medical Students in Orleans: a Cohort Study of a New Faculty

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to identify factors that may increase the risk of depression among medical students by comparing them to students who completed the first year of health studies but did not continue in the medical program. The study focuses on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) using a validated questionnaire called the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF). It also examines other psychiatric disorders, loneliness, healthcare use, financial and social insecurity, educational satisfaction, and stigma among students. Participants include two groups: medical students who successfully enter medical school after the first year and students who do not progress into the medical program. Each year, students receive an email with a link to an online questionnaire accessible via computers or smartphones. They can complete the questionnaire over six weeks, from mid-October to the end of November. This process will continue annually for up to 12 years or until students finish their studies, with a 10-year inclusion period and a total study duration of 22 years. Throughout the study, students' mental health and related factors will be monitored yearly through the online questionnaire. Researchers will analyze the prevalence of depression and other psychiatric conditions, risk factors, and care utilization patterns over time. The study offers insights into the evolution of mental health among medical students, potentially leading to future interventions to support those at risk.

Cohort Study on Medical Students' Mental Health