The experiences of students with mental health difficulties at medical school: a qualitative interview study

Figures & data

Table 1. Interview participants.

Demographic Category	Participant Numbers (%)
Gender
Female	12 (60%)
Male	7 (35%)
Non-binary	1 (5%)
Year of Study
Early (years 1–3)	9 (45%)
Late (years 4–6)	11 (55%)
Ethnicity
Black	1 (5%)
Arab	1 (5%)
Asian	7 (35%)
Mixed	2 (10%)
White	9 (45%)
Sexuality
Asexual	1 (5%)
Bisexual	4 (20%)
Gay/lesbian	1 (5%)
Heterosexual	13 (65%)
Other	1 (5%)
Mental Health Issue*
Anxiety	12 (60%)
Bipolar	1 (5%)
Burnout	12 (60%)
Depression	14 (70%)
Drugs and alcohol misuse	3 (15%)
Eating disorders	6 (30%)
Insomnia	6 (30%)
Personality disorder	2 (10%)
Stress	14 (70%)

*Students reported experiencing multiple mental health conditions or symptoms, thus the total numbers for condition do not add up to 20. Each medical school had between one to three participants.

Table 2. Themes and sub-themes resulting from Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Theme	Sub-themes
(1) Culture of medicine	Study demands Competitiveness “Suck it up” culture Stigma
(2) Help-seeking	Hiding symptoms Symptom severity and delays to treatment Fear of damage to career
(3) Impact on academic life	Effect on studies Time out from medical school

Data availability statement

Excerpts of the transcripts relevant to the study have been made available within the paper. Participants were informed that access to audio recordings and transcriptions was limited to the research team and thus are not able to be shared.