Facilitating Help-Seeking Behavior Among Medical Trainees and Physicians Using the Interactive Screening Program

Abstract

Physician and trainee distress, from burnout and depression to suicide risk, has been recognized as a serious threat to physicians, health care systems and to the optimal delivery of health care. To address this problem, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) adapted the Interactive Screening Program (ISP) for use by medical schools nationwide. Much is known about the problem, but less is known about the effectiveness of programs and solutions. This program evaluation utilized data from six medical schools' implementation of ISP over a seven-year period (2007–2013) to quantify openness to help-seeking and engagement with each step of program outreach. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify participants' engagement: reviewing the counselor's response; exchanging dialogue messages with the counselor; requesting to meet with the counselor in person; and requesting referral for mental health treatment. Chi-square distribution tests were used to determine differences in level of risk and rates of engagement among medical students, residents and fellows, and faculty physicians. A total of 1,449 individuals, including medical students, residents and faculty physicians, completed the questionnaire; 1,413 (97.5%) were designated as having high or moderate distress and only 5.3% were receiving any type of counseling or therapy. Among program participants, prevalence rates of high distress were higher among medical students and residents versus faculty physicians. The rate of program engagement was high overall with 81.2% reviewing the counselor's response; further engagement was highest among those most distressed, with 32.2% engaging in online dialogue with a program counselor. ISP was a feasible tool for engaging at-risk medical students, residents and physicians who were not currently utilizing mental health services.