Abstract
Background: Students in Lebanon are generally subject to a high level of stress given the economic and political instability in the country. Medical students in specific, and according to previous studies have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders that are attributed to their lifestyle, burnout, and long working hours.
Aims: To assess and examine the prevalence, predictors, and correlates of prescribed psychotropic drug use amongst medical students in Lebanon as compared to non-medical students. A secondary aim was to examine substance misuse among both groups.
Methods: This was an electronic, survey-based project. The survey comprised of 43 questions that provided information on demographic factors, mental health, psychiatric diagnoses, prescribed psychotropic medications, and lifestyle factors.
Results: The total number of participants included was 1,017. Our analysis showed no difference in the rates of prescribed psychotropic medication between the two groups; however, rates of generalized anxiety disorder (12.8%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (4.4%) were significantly higher in medical students. Cannabis and recreational drug use was also significantly higher in medical students, while cigarette smoking was more prevalent in non-medical students. Our results showed an increase in prescribed psychotropic medication use in Lebanon.
Conclusion: Our findings align with international studies, emphasizing the pressing need for support and monitoring of Lebanese medical students vulnerable to heightened mental health issues, substance misuse, and increased psychotropic prescriptions. Stakeholders in medical education must address these concerns and raise awareness about medical students' mental health and substance abuse risks, impacting the epidemic of physician burnout.