Karen Weissbecker Remer, School of Medicine
Medical students have been reported to have higher rates of burnout, anxiety, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation as compared to age-matched general population (1) (2). To better address concerns about mental health among students, it is essential to first measure and understand it. To assess the mental health and well-being of medical students across the years of training, a team at Tulane School of medicine (TUSOM) and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (UTSW) have been conducting annual, IRB approved anonymous surveys since the 2018-2019 academic year. These surveys assess the rates of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and utilization of mental health resources among students, using validated instruments. The longitudinal approach of this project may help identify when students are most vulnerable. These findings may help administrators, professors and peers recognize periods of time when students are most in need of extra support.
We have data on rates of depression, anxiety and stress, data on access to mental health care, and qualitative data from text-response questions regarding sources of stress in medical school.
| Faculty Supervisor | Karen Weissbecker Remer |
| Project Start Date | 12/03/2024 |
| Number of Spots Available | 3 |
| Project Type | Education |
| Location | On-Site |
| Type of Research | Data Analysis/Write-Up |
| Project Duration | Medium-term (1-3 years) |
| Supervisor | Faculty |
| Project Expertise | https://medicine.tulane.edu/departments/hayward-genetics-center-program-medical-ethics-and-human-values-bms-human-genetics |
Ability to do statistical analyses and to create graphs and tables for publication. Ability to do a thorough literature review.
Depends on the time of year. If a summer project, 20 to 30 hr/week. During the academic year – much less.
CV or Resume
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