Abstract
Abstract: Introduction: In recent years, the quality of life of medical students has been questioned, given the context in which they are inserted. Stress as a result of the number of long hours, difficulty in reconciling academic and personal life, exposure to situations of pain and suffering, have been shown to be the main factors for the decrease in quality of life of these students. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of medical students and its associated factors. Method: Cross-sectional study with 419 medical students from a public institution in Goiás. The study was carried out with students over 18 years old and enrolled in the second to the eighth semester of medical school, between 2017 and 2018. Sociodemographic and lifestyle questionnaires and the World Health Organization Questionnaire for Quality of Life - Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Results: The factors related to low quality of life were: female gender, the use of stimulants, thinking about giving up medical school and having comorbidities. Those related to a better quality of life were consuming fruits and vegetables, practicing physical activity, more sleeping time and stress management. Conclusion: This study found a set of factors capable of interfering with the quality of life of these students, suggesting the need for interventions aimed at pedagogical and psychological support.
Highlights
In recent years, the quality of life of medical students has been questioned, given the context in which they are inserted
It was observed that the highest Quality of life (QOL) score was found in the environmental domain (68.8) and the lowest in the psychological domain (62.3)
The present study found a set of factors capable of interfering with the quality of life of medical students, suggesting the need for interventions aimed at pedagogical and psychological support, in order to guide students about their difficulties and insecurities
Summary
The quality of life of medical students has been questioned, given the context in which they are inserted. Quality of life (QOL) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is a broad concept understood as physical health, psychological status, level of independence, social relations, beliefs and relationships. It is defined as the individuals’ perception in relation to their position in life, in the cultural context and their goals, expectations, standards and concerns[1]. Stress as the result of long hours of work, difficulty in reconciling academic and personal life, exposure to situations of pain and suffering, reduced leisure time and a competitive environment has been shown to be the main factors for the decrease in quality of life of these students[2]. The medical learning environment itself can often bring feelings of self-sufficiency, leading future doctors to consider themselves strong enough to withstand exhausting routines and situations of extreme emotional demand, without seeking help[3]
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