Survey says: Residents are sad, especially when they're broke

West et al report survey and in-service exam data from 16,394 internal medicine residents nationwide, 2008-2009. Almost 15% reported that their lives "suck" or "profoundly suck" (I'm paraphrasing slightly). About half reported emotional exhaustion or feeling burned-out. Almost 30% were in a disconnected, fugue-like state. The really depressed ones did worse on their in-service exams, and tended to have more debt. International students were happier than Americans. Have you hugged your resident today?

West CP et al. Quality of Life, Burnout, Educational Debt, and Medical Knowledge Among Internal Medicine Residents. JAMA 2011;306:952-960.