RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Emotional distress, burnout, and depression occur frequently among graduate medical education (GME) trainees and may negatively affect patient care, education, and well-being. The authors aimed to characterize the causes and severity of distress among GME trainees seeking on-site counseling services at a large, multi-site, university-based training program in the USA. METHODS: The authors analyzed visits of all GME trainees seeking counseling from 2009 to 2012 and described trainee characteristics, level of distress, chief and secondary complaints, and initial visit outcomes. RESULTS: GME trainees (n = 332; 14.1% of total population) attended 2017 counseling visits. Women comprised over half (60.7%) of the clients. Referrals originated from trainees themselves (79.8%), program leadership (16.6%), or partners (1.8%). Mean counselor-assessed distress level at intake was 4.1 (range 1-5). Mental health was the most frequent concern (46.1%), particularly depression (19.3%) or anxiety (11.5%). Other chief complaints included personal relationship (28.6%), career (21.7%), and physical health concerns (2.7%). Counselors referred nearly a quarter (22.7%) of trainees to additional services such as psychiatry, primary care provider, or career mentor. Most trainees (75.3%) returned for ≥1 follow-up counseling visits. CONCLUSION: GME trainees seen in counseling report significant emotional distress from a broad range of sources. Further research should identify effective preventative and therapeutic interventions to reduce trainee emotional distress.
