Prevalence and outcome of beta-blocker use during final exams among medical students

Abstract

Background: Stress and anxiety during final exams present major problems for medical students. They tend to use and self-prescribe beta-blocker (BB) during final exams to alleviate their symptoms. The present study aimed at identifying the prevalence and outcome of BB among medical students undergoing final exams. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an electronic self-administered structured questionnaire. Detailed demographic data, academic levels, stress symptoms, final exams, and outcome of BB use were collected. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results are presented in percentages. Results: A total of 450 students, aged 21.8 ± 1.7 years, were included in this study. Male students consisted of 41.3% and 58.7% were female students. Among them, 42 students (9.3%) used BB during final exams and 32 of them self-prescribed BB without medical supervision. The majority of them were female (92.8%) compared to 7.2% males. Only seven students (16.7%) in preclinical years used BB compared to 35 students (83.3%) in clinical years, and the most common symptoms encountered by them before exams were panic attacks, anxiety, and the desire to cry. Conclusions: Medical students tend to use BB during final exams and the majority of the students self-prescribe it. It is more common in females and mainly in clinical years. Internal medicine was found to be the leading exam subject for which medical students used BB. The majority of the students reported improvement in symptoms and better performance in exams. This result could help medical schools to prioritize their services to the students.