Emotional distress in medical students in the context of university teaching on mental disorders

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown ahigh incidence and increase in stress-related symptoms and depression-like complaints among students. During teaching on mental disorders at our medical faculty, students repeatedly reported emotionally stressful situations and expressed adesire for support services. The aim of the present study was to objectify the level of stress and the need for such support services. Atotal of 118 students in the 9thsemester (winter semester 2022/2023) were surveyed using aquestionnaire on their emotional stress. The online questionnaire was conducted via LimeSurvey (LimeSurvey GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) and contained atotal of 18items formulated as statements as well as other items. The students rated the individual items on 11-point numerical scales with external anchor ratings. The respondents rated their own stress as increased compared to other modules, particularly for the subject of psychiatry (> 5out of10). Bedside teaching was estimated as being the most stressful, followed by seminars and lectures (all pairwise comparisons p < 0.001). The contents on depression predominantly caused the most stress. Approximately half of the students would like to be offered support services and most frequently aconsultation session (78.0%) and defined contact persons (70.7%). The emotional stress of students in the context of teaching on mental disorders is particularly high in psychiatry and higher with increasing patient contact; offers of support services are needed. Teachers should be sensitized to this and create offers such as open consultation sessions and the provision of defined contact persons.