A multisite, longitudinal study assessing prevalence of depression in student pharmacists

Abstract

Objective: Conduct a multisite, survey-based study assessing rates of self-reported depressive symptoms among student pharmacists enrolled in the first 3 years (P1-P3) of 4-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula.

Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional observational design conducted at Washington State University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy. Student pharmacists in the first 3 years of pharmacy school (P1-P3) of the PharmD curricula were invited to voluntarily complete the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to collect self-reported measures of depression. The CES-D is a validated 20-item instrument using a 4-point Likert scale.

Results: A total of 1795 surveys were evaluated from P1-P3 students at Washington State University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy over a 4-year period (2019-2022). Overall, 1150 (64.1%) surveys indicated the presence of depressive symptoms on CES-D. The highest rate of reported depressive symptoms was recorded in 2021 (71.4%), notably during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, whereas the lowest rate was prepandemic in 2019 (57.8%). The P1 cohort had the highest depression rate in 2020 and 2021, whereas the P2 cohort was highest in 2019 and 2022. The P3 cohort screening positive for depression increased from 52.6% to 69.3% over the 4-year period.

Conclusion: This multisite, longitudinal study confirms that self-reported depressive symptoms in student pharmacists are significantly higher than what is reported in undergraduate students. Opportunities exist for pharmacy educators and university wellness services to better identify and serve student pharmacists experiencing depression or depressive episodes.

Keywords: Depression; Mental health stigma; Student mental health; Student pharmacist.