Cohort Study on Medical Students' Mental Health

Conditions studied

Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Suicidal Ideation, Alcoholism, Marijuana Abuse, Loneliness

About this study

The main objective of this study is to identify risk factors for depression among medical students by comparing them to students who completed their first year but did not enter the medical program (students not accepted into the second year of medical school). Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) will be assessed using a validated tool: the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF). This a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study. The plan is to inform each new cohort of students at the Orléans University Hospital medical school for 10 years. It is estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 students will be able to participate in the study. A link to access the study questionnaire will be sent to students by email via the registrar's office, with one email per week for four weeks. The email will contain a link to a web page where the questionnaire can be completed. The questionnaire will be available online on computers or smartphones for six weeks: from mid-October to the end of November. The questionnaire will be completed each year for the duration of the study or until the student completes their studies. Duration of the inclusion period: 10 years Duration of participation for each participant: maximum 12 years Total duration of the study: 22 years As the cohort progresses, longitudinal analyses may be conducted to study the evolution of various disorders over time, adjusting for known confounding factors. Following the initial analyses of this study, a new interventional study will be set up to identify students at risk and offer them appropriate care.

Interventions

• Other: Questionnaire — Questionnaire to be completed once a year

Primary outcomes

• Measure Major Depressive Disorder prevalence (Students fulfil the questionnaire on line once a year from enrollment until students complete their studies.)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Orléans, Orléans, Loiret 45067 France