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Online programs to strengthen the mental health of medical students: A systematic review of the literature.

Medical education online
December 1, 2022
Patrizia Ungar et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review current online programs, including mindfulness-based interventions, for promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders in medical students.

Results Summary

One program showed significant immediate effects on mindfulness, empathy, and resilience, while two studies indicated strengthened coping strategies. However, most studies lacked control groups, and evidence of effectiveness was limited.

Population

Medical students

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
online programs for mental health literacy
neutral
mental health
medical students
-
were found
#1
online programs for mindfulness
neutral
mental health
medical students
-
were found
#2
online programs based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
neutral
mental health
medical students
-
were found
#3
online programs for peer support
neutral
mental health
medical students
-
were found
#4
online programs
decrease
perceived stress
medical students
-
showed significant reductions
#5
online programs
decrease
burnout levels
medical students
-
indicated reduced
#6
online program
increase
mindfulness
medical students
-
had significant immediate effects
#7
online program
increase
empathy
medical students
-
had significant immediate effects
#8
online program
increase
resilience
medical students
-
had significant immediate effects
#9
online programs
increase
coping strategies
medical students
-
indicated strengthening
#10
online programs
neutral
mental health
medical students
-
were qualitatively assessed as helpful
#11
Abstract

Medical students have been shown to be vulnerable to mental stress. Strengthening individual protective characteristics can be one cornerstone for promoting medical students' mental health and thereby preventing mental disorders. Online programs are an opportunity to provide appropriate options that have the advantage of being accessible from anywhere, at any time, and with a low entry threshold. This review provides a literature overview of current online programs for medical students. The findings can serve as a point of reference for designing effective online programs for mental health-promotion and mental disorder-prevention in medical curricula. We applied a systematic literature search in PubMed, ERIC, Cochrane, and Web of Science. Programs offered had to be web-based, and the addressed group had to be medical students. Protective individual characteristics for mental health and information on the programs' effectiveness were included in the search. As outcomes, we included mental health, burnout, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and well-being. The search yielded 723 articles; of them, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Programs found were grouped according to their focus: mental health literacy, mindfulness, based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or peer support. Two studies showed significant reductions in perceived stress; one study indicated reduced burnout levels. One program had significant immediate effects on mindfulness, empathy, and resilience; two studies indicated strengthening coping strategies. Two programs were qualitatively assessed as helpful; two studies are ongoing. Nine studies lacked control groups; two randomized controlled trials were ongoing. Only a few online programs with limited evidence of effectiveness were found. They addressed protective individual characteristics, highlighting their importance for mental health. Thus, more health-promoting and mental disorder-preventing programs with high-quality effectiveness studies are necessary. An integration of such programs into curricula would allow for greater utilization and could give greater emphasis to and prioritize mental health in medical education.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnxietyBurnout, ProfessionalHumansMental HealthMindfulnessStress, PsychologicalStudents, Medical
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations16
Citations/Year5.3
Relative Citation Ratio3.65
NIH Percentile88.7%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.42
Normalized Score0.61
Related Supplements
Online programs to strengthen the mental health of medical s... | Panacea Index