Week 5 Evidence Synthesis: Depression
Depression is a national practice problem, a form of mental illness which raises the probability of
other chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes (CDC, 2021). An important indicator of
general wellbeing and mental health among older adults is depressive symptoms, with most of
these symptoms causing higher instead of disability, physical illness, and an increase in health
care cost. At least 1 out of every 6 adults will experience some form of depression sometime in
their life span, with it affecting approximately 16 million adults in America at any age in any
demographic (CDC, 2021). According to (World Health Organization (2021), depression as it
progresses can cause worsening situation, increase stress andlead to more stress and
dysfunctional behaviorin the life of the person it affects.
The authors in the selected quantitative study, used a cross-sectional design and surveyed
medical students and residents to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and burnout. They
found that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and burnout was higher among medical
students and residents than in the general population. 651 medical students and residents who
were chosen randomly were surveyed between December 2018 and February 2019 (Pokhrel et
al., 2020). The article by Pokhrel et al. (2020) investigates depression, anxiety, and burnout
among medical students and residents at a medical school in Nepal. According to Pokhrel et al.
(2020), the mental health of the student’s studying medicine is considered the same or even
better as the general popular prior to beginning medical school. In addition, the study states that
about a third of medical student worldwide experience some form of depression which is
considered much higher than the public around 3.66.6% (Pokhrel et al., 2020). Furthermore, an
increased rate of depression is found in medical student in their first year and these symptoms
connected to lack of sleep, intense stress from their personal experiences and burnout (Pohkrel et
al., 2020). Furthermore, the authors found that the prevalence of depression and anxiety was
significantly higher in the female students and residents compared to their male counterparts,
with no significant difference in burnout noted between the genders (Pokhrel et al., 2020).
The articles for review are by Cheruvu and Chiyaka (2019), Eigenhuis et al. (2021), Pokhrel et
al. (2020), and an evidence synthesis will be based on all three articles. The three studies under
consideration examine the prevalence of symptoms of depression and the variables influencing
the behavior of older persons, medical students/residents, young adults, and adolescents in
seeking help (Cheruvu & Chiyaka, 2019; Eigenhuis et al., 2021; Pokhrel et al., 2020). All age
groups, particularly adolescents, young adults, elderly individuals, and medical students and
residents, are at increased risk for developing symptoms of depression. Therefore, it is important
to understand the elements that influence the behavior of various populations when seeking
treatment. To achieve this goal, the three evaluated studies investigate the prevalence of
depressive symptoms and the factors influencing people's behavior regarding seeking help and
managing mental health issues. While studies by Cheruvu & Chiyaka 2019; Pokhrel et al., 2020)
offer essential details on the occurrence of depression among older adults and medical students,
Depression is a national practice problem, a form of mental illness which raises the probability of
other chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes (CDC, 2021). An important indicator of
general wellbeing and mental health among older adults is depressive symptoms, with most of
these symptoms causing higher instead of disability, physical illness, and an increase in health
care cost. At least 1 out of every 6 adults will experience some form of depression sometime in
their life span, with it affecting approximately 16 million adults in America at any age in any
demographic (CDC, 2021). According to (World Health Organization (2021), depression as it
progresses can cause worsening situation, increase stress andlead to more stress and
dysfunctional behaviorin the life of the person it affects.
The authors in the selected quantitative study, used a cross-sectional design and surveyed
medical students and residents to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and burnout. They
found that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and burnout was higher among medical
students and residents than in the general population. 651 medical students and residents who
were chosen randomly were surveyed between December 2018 and February 2019 (Pokhrel et
al., 2020). The article by Pokhrel et al. (2020) investigates depression, anxiety, and burnout
among medical students and residents at a medical school in Nepal. According to Pokhrel et al.
(2020), the mental health of the student’s studying medicine is considered the same or even
better as the general popular prior to beginning medical school. In addition, the study states that
about a third of medical student worldwide experience some form of depression which is
considered much higher than the public around 3.66.6% (Pokhrel et al., 2020). Furthermore, an
increased rate of depression is found in medical student in their first year and these symptoms
connected to lack of sleep, intense stress from their personal experiences and burnout (Pohkrel et
al., 2020). Furthermore, the authors found that the prevalence of depression and anxiety was
significantly higher in the female students and residents compared to their male counterparts,
with no significant difference in burnout noted between the genders (Pokhrel et al., 2020).
The articles for review are by Cheruvu and Chiyaka (2019), Eigenhuis et al. (2021), Pokhrel et
al. (2020), and an evidence synthesis will be based on all three articles. The three studies under
consideration examine the prevalence of symptoms of depression and the variables influencing
the behavior of older persons, medical students/residents, young adults, and adolescents in
seeking help (Cheruvu & Chiyaka, 2019; Eigenhuis et al., 2021; Pokhrel et al., 2020). All age
groups, particularly adolescents, young adults, elderly individuals, and medical students and
residents, are at increased risk for developing symptoms of depression. Therefore, it is important
to understand the elements that influence the behavior of various populations when seeking
treatment. To achieve this goal, the three evaluated studies investigate the prevalence of
depressive symptoms and the factors influencing people's behavior regarding seeking help and
managing mental health issues. While studies by Cheruvu & Chiyaka 2019; Pokhrel et al., 2020)
offer essential details on the occurrence of depression among older adults and medical students,
