Interactive Digital Media to Reduce Medical Student Depression and Alcohol Use

This poster describes a project to reduce the stress medical students experience from novel exposure to clinical care. Drs. Metcalf and Tanner created and evaluated a simulation for medical students having the goal to enhance coping and decrease the use of negative coping mechanisms such as alcohol use. The intervention approach used anticipatory and preparatory guidance plus skill development delivered via an interactive computer-based simulation framework with realistic-appearing characters and environment.

Results from testing the simulation with 63 students identified a high level of pre-existing symptoms and poor coping strategies. They had a decrease in drug and alcohol use and depression symptoms after the 2-week study. The intervention group also reported a decrease in burnout symptoms and an increased ability to adapt to change.

Suggested Citation: Metcalf M, Tanner B, Interactive Digital Media to Reduce Medical Student Depression and Alcohol Use. Poster presented at the 2023 Winter Conference on Brain Research Meeting, January 22, 2023, Snowbird, UT.

More info on the authors: Mary P Metcalf, Brad Tanner,