Use of methylphenidate among medical residents in Paraná

Dalacorte, Julia Schuster; Oliveira, Leticia Alves de; Dalzotto, Roberta Rafaelle; Chicalski, Gabriella Cristina; Freitas Netto, Felício de; Cordeiro, Tatiana Menezes Garcia

doi:10.1590/1983-803420264197PT

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Research • Rev. Bioét. 34 • 2026 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-803420264197EN linkcopy

Use of methylphenidate among medical residents in Paraná

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Medical residency programs are characterized by intense workloads and high demands, favoring the use of substances to sustain cognitive performance. This cross-sectional and quantitative study investigated the prevalence and repercussions of methylphenidate use among first-year medical residents in Paraná. 81 residents (6.37% of the estimated population) responded to an online questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data, the use and effects of methylphenidate hydrochloride, and the DASS-21 scale. The prevalence of use was 25.9%, with the main objectives being to increase concentration (66.7%) and to reduce fatigue (38.1%). Among the adverse effects, tachycardia (52.4%) and anxiety (38.1%) stood out. A significant association was found between methylphenidate use and higher stress levels (p=0.009). The use of stimulants showed subjective benefits but was also associated with negative impacts on mental health, indicating the need for educational and institutional actions to discourage its non-medical use.

Keywords:
Methylphenidate; Medical staff hospital; Cognition

Variable		Target population		Sample
Variable		n	col%	n	col%
n total		1,272	100.0	81	100.0
Sex	Female	740	58.2	58	71.6
Sex	Male	532	41.8	23	28.4
Training Institution	Public	473	38.2	21	25.9
Training Institution	Private	799	62.8	60	74.1

Variable		Total		Uses MPH		Does not use MPH		p-value*
Variable		N	col%	N	row%	N	row%	p-value*
Sex	Female	58	71.6	16	27.6	42	72.4	0.7946
Sex	Male	23	28.4	5	21.7	18	78.3
Age	21-25 years	16	19.8	5	31.3	11	68.7	0.5884
	26-30 years	51	62.9	12	23.5	39	76.5
	31-35 years	10	12.4	4	40.0	6	60.0
	36-40 years	1	1.2	0	0	1	100.0
	41-50 years	3	3.7	0	0	3	100.0
Training Institution	Public	21	25.9	4	19.1	17	80.9	0.5848
Training Institution	Private	60	74.1	17	28.3	43	71.7

DASS-21		Mean	Median	SD	Min	Max	p-value θ
Depression	Total	0.44	0	0.71	0	3	-
	Uses	0.62	0	0.80	0	2	0.2107
	Does not use	0.38	0	3.00	2	3
Anxiety	Total	0.28	0	0.60	0	3	-
	Uses	0.43	0	0.75	0	3	0.178
	Does not use	0.23	0	0.53	0	2
Stress	Total	0.93	0.86	0.72	0	2.86	-
	Uses	1.24	1.14	0.62	0.14	2.86	0.009
	Does not use	0.83	0.71	0.73	0	2.71

location_on

Conselho Federal de Medicina SGAS 616, Conjunto D, Lote 115, L2 Sul, CEP: 70200-760, Tel: (61) 3445-5932 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: bioetica@portalmedico.org.br

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[TFN4] n: absolute frequency; col%: relative frequency in relation to the column