Date of Award

5-2020

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Julie Solberg

Keywords

students medical, depressive disorder therapy, education graduate, ideations suicide, suicide, and students physician assistant

Abstract

The intent of this review of literature is to determine if implementing mental health resources in graduate healthcare programs decreases the rate of depression and suicidal ideations. In this review of literature, five databases were searched. Databases included: PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL Complete, Clinical Key, and the Cochrane Library from September 15 to January 3, 2020. Due to the topic being dynamic and receiving more acknowledgment in recent years, articles reviewed were restricted to the last six years within the United States. Works chosen were peer-reviewed, which included meta-analysis, cross-sectional, systemic reviews, longitudinal and, survey method studies. Sources excluded included opinion-based editorials without primary research. The review concluded with 16 articles reviewed, research in this review shows the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideations amongst graduate healthcare professional students. With the topic being brought into light, much of this research shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy can decrease the previously mentioned stressors of graduate healthcare school. Other articles reviewed show methods for effective screening of depression and suicidal ideations along with the implementation of peer reflective groups, pass/fail grading, and the effects of sleep and exercise in this population. The implementation of mental health resources has begun to show promise versus previous methods of as needed services through campus student services. The research indicates that decreasing depression, as well as suicidal ideations, are multifactorial with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) being effective. More research, as well as implementation, is needed to determine which screening method along with what resources prove best.

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