The Mental Health of Medical Students: Supporting Wellbeing in Medical Education

Medical students are the medical workforce of the future, responsible for both individual and population health. With an ageing global population, changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased computerisation and roboticization of medicine, doctors will require ever more flexibility, foresight, and courage going forward. It is crucial that their training equips them for the challenges ahead. However, recent research has found worryingly high levels of stress and burnout amongst these individuals, leading to more students dropping out or leaving the profession early.

This volume presents research findings on the rates of burnout in medical students from around the world and provides ideas for a model of care to help educators and individuals take steps towards better student wellbeing. The first section covers the development of medical teaching, likely future directions of healthcare and the role of doctors, the current global situation in high-, middle-, and low- income countries, and how we measure and define burnout. The second section analyses case studies from countries across the globe, reviewing regional themes of burnout, mental health symptoms, and stressors. The third section hears from the medical students themselves, considers circumstances such as studying abroad, or studying with health conditions, and looks at potential interventions and good practice for the future, including the role of the universities and institutions, and advice to medical students on how to look after themselves.

A truly international collaboration with a focus on medical student mental health and wellbeing, this book will be of interest to medical education professionals, occupational health physicians, and medical practitioners, as well as researchers, medical students, and trainees.