To the bone: Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety among orthopedic residents in Mexico

Abstract

Objective

Examining orthopedic residents in Mexico, researchers explore the relationship between the presence of depressive or anxious symptoms and the degree of perfectionism, perceived work-related distress, and involvement in the care of patient(s) who died.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional online survey of 642 orthopedic residents from October 2019 to April 2021.

Results

Of orthopedic residents contacted, 50.6% responded rate (70.9% male, average age 29.8 years). A total of 12.5% reported significant depressive symptoms and 18.4% reported significant anxious symptoms. On a scale from 0-100, the mean score of perceived work-related distress was 51.9. One-third (33.6%) reported being involved in the care of patient(s) who had died. Higher levels of work-related distress and higher scores on perfectionism were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. In particular, being involved in the care of patient(s) who had died was associated with anxious symptoms (OR = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.18-2.72).

Conclusions

These results highlight the need for systematic monitoring of the mental health of orthopedic residents in Mexico, particularly those who report a high level of work-related distress or perfectionism or who have recently experienced the death of a patient.