Overall, Matthew Burnett's medical school experience has been wonderful. But the fourth-year medical student at A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine understands his experience does not represent all medical students.

"I recognize that it can be very challenging for my peers with different learning styles, support systems and backgrounds," Burnett said. "This is true regardless of their desire to help others, career interests or capability to succeed in medicine."

Burnett has been part of a large-scale study aimed at improving medical students' well-being led by Yoi Tibbetts, research assistant professor at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development and research director of the Motivate Lab.

"I saw the alarming trends of burnout rates and other psychological symptoms that are much more prevalent among doctors relative to the general population," Tibbetts said. "So, my colleague and I put our heads together to figure out how we can support the physician workforce."

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