Well-being and burnout in medical students

There is no doubt that practice of medicine is an extremely stressful profession. Not surprisingly, training and education in medicine also creates a degree of pressure. In the past 50 years, more attention is being paid to the mental health and well-being of doctors. However, recently focus has shifted to the mental health and well-being of medical students. A series of studies have shown that the rates of mental ill-health among doctors and medical students are exceptionally high and appear to be getting worse. In studies across 12 countries with over 3600 responses, it has been shown that rates of burnout among medical students vary and have been reported to be over 90% of respondents in Hong Kong. Explanations for these high rates vary according to cultural factors which include parental expectations, financial and housing problems, and relationship difficulties. It is crucial that institutions make every effort at looking after the mental health needs of medical students and their medical staff.