Abstract
BackgroundInternship, the transition period from medical student to junior doctor, is highly stressful for interns in the West; however, little is known about the experience of interns in coping with stress in Taiwan. This study aimed to develop a model for coping with stress among Taiwanese interns and to examine the relationship between stress and learning outcomes.MethodsFor this qualitative study, we used grounded theory methodology with theoretical sampling. We collected data through in-depth interviews and participant observations. We employed the constant comparative method to analyse the data until data saturation was achieved.ResultsThe study population was 124 medical interns in a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan; 21 interns (12 males) participated. Data analysis revealed that the interns encountered stressors (such as sense of responsibility, coping with uncertainty, and interpersonal relationships) resulting from their role transition from observer to practitioner. The participants used self-directed learning and avoidance as strategies to deal with their stress.ConclusionsA self-directed learning strategy can be beneficial for an intern’s motivation to learn as well as for patient welfare. However, avoiding stressors can result in less motivation to learn and hinder the quality of care. Understanding how interns experience and cope with stress and its related outcomes can help medical educators and policy makers improve the quality of medical education by encouraging interns’ self-directed learning strategy and discouraging the avoidance of stressors.
Highlights
Internship, the transition period from medical student to junior doctor, is highly stressful for interns in the West; little is known about the experience of interns in coping with stress in Taiwan
Rosel found that stress among medical students increased compared with the level before they entered medical school; such stress may impair the quality of their primary care [12]
This study aimed to explore the process of coping with stress among medical interns in Taiwan as an important reference for future policy in medical education
Summary
Internship, the transition period from medical student to junior doctor, is highly stressful for interns in the West; little is known about the experience of interns in coping with stress in Taiwan. Internship is the transition period from being a medical student to becoming a junior doctor, and it typically entails considerable stress [1] Before their internship, medical students tend to be observers on clinical rotations and attend classroom lectures [1, 2]; interns, bear responsibility for primary care and have to work with multidisciplinary teams [3]. Medical students tend to be observers on clinical rotations and attend classroom lectures [1, 2]; interns, bear responsibility for primary care and have to work with multidisciplinary teams [3] This increased responsibility for patient care and the long working hours create stress for interns [4, 5]. To achieve a better transition from medical student to junior doctor in Taiwan, a new policy, involving
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