Background It is known that medical doctors suffer from increased rates of depression with medical interns being most at risk. Despite this, little is known about the prevalence of depression in interns in South Africa. Objectives This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms in interns employed at Groote Schuur Hospital, a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape. Method The study was a cross-sectional study. All 91 interns were invited to participate in the study and consenting interns were required to complete a demographic and related questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-2). Results Fifty-four (59.3%) of all invited interns participated in the study. Twenty-two interns (40.7%) reported a BDI-2 score of 14 or greater, indicating at least mild self-reported symptoms of depression. Features associated with a BDI-2 score of 14 or greater, included female gender, a previous diagnosis of depression, seeing a psychotherapist and previously being on antidepressant medication during internship. Other features also significantly associated with higher BDI-2 scores included suicidal ideation, thoughts of emigration, wanting to leave medicine and using substances to cope. The most significant associated feature of high BDI-2 scores was a subjective feeling of being ‘burnt out’. Conclusion Interns had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms when compared to the general population. The feeling of being ‘burnt out’ was the most significant factor associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. It is imperative that the mental health of both medical students and newly qualified doctors be prioritised, supported and monitored.

中文翻译：

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三级医院医学实习生的抑郁症状及相关因素。

背景众所周知，医生患抑郁症的几率增加，而实习医生的风险最大。尽管如此，人们对南非实习生的抑郁症患病率知之甚少。目的 本研究旨在评估在西开普省的三级医院 Groote Schuur 医院雇用的实习生中抑郁症状的患病率。方法 本研究为横断面研究。所有 91 名实习生都被邀请参加这项研究，并且同意的实习生需要完成人口统计和相关问卷以及贝克抑郁量表 2 (BDI-2)。结果 所有受邀实习生中有 54 人 (59.3%) 参加了研究。22 名实习生 (40.7%) 报告 BDI-2 评分为 14 或更高，表明至少有轻微的抑郁症状自我报告。与 BDI-2 评分为 14 或更高相关的特征包括女性、先前诊断为抑郁症、看过心理治疗师以及先前在实习期间服用抗抑郁药物。与较高 BDI-2 分数显着相关的其他特征包括自杀意念、移民想法、想要离开药物和使用物质来应对。高 BDI-2 分数最显着的相关特征是“精疲力竭”的主观感觉。结论与一般人群相比，实习生的抑郁症状患病率较高。“精疲力竭”的感觉是与抑郁症状严重程度相关的最重要因素。必须优先考虑、支持和监测医学生和新合格医生的心理健康。