Mental health and wellbeing among Moroccan medical students: a descriptive study

Abstract

Medical students are tomorrow’s healthcare professionals (HCPs), and their role in the design and delivery of healthcare in the future is crucial. Following an invitation to participate in a global call on mental health and wellbeing among medical students, it was decided to include Moroccan medical students based in the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat between March 2019 and May 2019. Six hundred and thirty-seven medical students from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat responded to the BMA (British Medical Association) online survey, with females representing 66% of students. Medical studies were considered the main source of stress by 90% of respondents. The CAGE test screened 5% of students to be at risk of alcohol related health problems. Thirteen per cent of respondents reported substance misuse, 20% consumed alcohol, and 13% reported Illicit drug use. Almost half of Moroccan medical students had minor psychiatric disorder according to GHQ-12. Very high rates of burnout were found among undergraduate medical students, at 93%, and 68% reported, respectively, exhaustion and disengagement. This study showed very high levels of burnout among Moroccan undergraduate medical students. These results draw attention to the poor mental wellbeing of medical students. It is important that careful steps are put in place to support medical students who need this help.