Well-being Of Medical Students Research Articles

Prevalence of Burnout and Its Associated Factors among Medical Students in a Public University in Selangor, Malaysia: a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Burnout is a growing trend among medical students worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among medical students at a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st through 5th year medical students at a public university using a simple random sampling method in recruiting participants. In this study, The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Student (MBI-SS) was used and burnout is defined as severely emotionally exhausted and severely depersonalised. Results: A total of 328 medical students were recruited with a with response rate of 88.6%. The burnout prevalence was 10.1%. Based on multivariate logistic regression, presence of smartphone addiction with adjusted (odds ratio (OR) 7.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.67, 32.49), course choice not based on personal interest or due to family pressure (OR 2.72, 95% CI = 1.08, 6.85) and the presence of family relationship problems (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.27, 10.04) are more likely to be associated with burnout among the medical students. Conclusion: Our study has shown that every tenth medical students suffers from burnout. Medical students who are addicted to smartphone, have chosen medical course against individual interest or because of family pressure and have family relationship problems are at risk of getting burnout. Intervention is required to address this issue for the future well-being of medical students.

Medical Student Experiences of Engaging in a Psychological Flexibility Skill Training App for Burnout and Well-being: Pilot Feasibility Study.

Medical students are at higher risk of burnout than the general population. Interventions that facilitate adaptive coping behaviors (eg, Psychological Flexibility) in the context of inherent stressors associated with medical training could mitigate burnout risk and improve well-being. Delivering these interventions using smartphone apps offers advantages such as accessibility, scalability, mitigation of time and stigma barriers, and facilitation of individual tailoring (individualization). There is a need for feasibility trials with medical students in this emerging field. Formal evaluations of user experiences of app-based psychological skill training are required to identify barriers to and facilitators of engagement and optimize intervention development before implementation in efficacy trials and real-world settings. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering an individualized Psychological Flexibility skill training intervention (Acceptance and Commitment Training [ACTraining]) to medical students using an app-based delivery format. We further aimed to explore how formal evaluation of user experiences might inform and guide the development of this app before implementation in an efficacy trial and future research involving app-delivered psychological skill training for medical students. This single-arm study was an early-phase feasibility trial of a stand-alone ACTraining app conducted with a sample of Australian medical students (n=11). We collected app usability and user experience data across a broad range of domains (eg, perceived helpfulness and relevance, learning experiences, and self-efficacy) using self-report questionnaires (quantitative and qualitative) and behavioral engagement outcomes. Behavioral engagement data demonstrated that the app delivered the assessment procedures and individualized ACTraining intervention to medical students as intended. The subjective feedback provided by students who actively engaged with the app was generally positive across several indicators, including usability, perceived relevance and helpfulness, accessibility, maintenance of privacy, and opportunity for self-reflection. Disengagement from the app was an identified challenge throughout the trial. Participant feedback identified several factors that may have affected engagement, such as time, expectations regarding app interface functioning, and individual differences in confidence and self-efficacy when implementing skills. This study reports user experience data that have been largely absent from the literature on digital psychological interventions for medical students. Our findings demonstrate the preliminary feasibility of an app-delivered ACTraining intervention for medical student well-being and burnout and support the value of future assessment of the efficacy of this approach with larger samples. We consider subjective feedback from medical students in relation to observed engagement and propose how this information might be used to inform the development of this app and future research in this nascent field.

Adjustment disorder among first year medical students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2020.

The general health and well-being of medical students has become a matter of concern, as medical students have higher levels of stress than their nonmedical peers. Long-standing stress may lead to serious outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, poor quality of life, or adjustment disorders. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of first year medical students who have adjustment disorder and explore possible risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted among all first-year medical students at King Saud University, College of Medicine, Saudi Arabia. The adjustment disorder-new model 20 (ADNM-20) was used to assess adjustment disorder with the stressor and item lists. The item list scores were summed and a cutoff point >47.5 was designated as a high risk of developing the disorder. Descriptive analysis included computing mean and standard deviation for continuous variable while frequency and percentages for categorical variables. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis determined risk factors for having an adjustment disorder and the stress of attending a medical school. The study enrolled 267 students but only 128 completed the ADNM-20 survey. Out of 267 students, the most commonly reported recent stressor was too much/too little work, and 52.8% reported having difficulty in meeting deadlines. The most common core symptom expressed by the medical students was avoidance behavior with a mean score of 10.91 ± 3.12, followed by preoccupation with stressors with a mean score of 10.66 ± 3.10. The factors significantly associated with having adjustment disorder were being female, younger age, recent illness of a loved one, having family conflicts, and having too much or too little work. First year medical students are at increased risk of adjustment disorder. Screening and awareness programs may be considered for preventing adjustment disorder. Increased student-staff interactions may provide support to adapt to their new environment and help reduce social adjustment difficulties.

Prevalence of prehypertension, hypertension, stress, anxiety among undergraduate medical students, and its association with cognitive failure: A cross-sectional study

Background: Research shows that both hypertension and prehypertension accelerate the decline in standardized global cognitive performance. Two important risk factors for development of elevated BP are stress and anxiety. Hence, the study also focuses on assessing stress and anxiety in undergraduate medical students using validated questionnaires. Aims and Objectives: Hypertension and prehypertension are on a rise in undergraduate medical students and are proposed to accelerate cognitive failure. This study aims to provide prevalence of hypertension, prehypertension, anxiety, stress, and its association with cognitive failure among 1st year medical students in a medical college in North India. Materials and Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Physiology of a Medical College on 1st year medical students. Google form was given to the whole batch of 150 medical students. Out of them, 111 students voluntarily participated. Hence, we have included them in our study. Standard questionnaire prescribed by Cohen et al., Spitzer et al., and Broadbent et al., for stress, anxiety, and cognitive failure respectively was given to students. Google documents were used as a platform to create online questionnaires that were automatically posted through a unique URL. Password protected access to URL link and a unique study ID gave students round the clock access. Unique study ID ensured confidentiality of all self-reported data. Student’s response was secured using a “cloud” database, where data were automatically sorted, scaled, and scored by custom Excel formulas. Blood pressure of all the students was measured and a Google form consisting of items from these three questionnaires was filled by the students. Data were organized and statistically analyzed by Chi-square test. Results: In the present study, the prevalence of prehypertension was 46.8% and hypertension was 7.2%. Perceived stress score was moderate in 71.2% of subjects and high in 10.8% of subjects. Moderate-to-severe anxiety was recorded in 21.6% of students. Cognitive failure score was high (>43) in 24.3% of students. A Chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the relation between blood pressure and cognitive failure. Relationship between these variables was significant X2 (1, n=111)=7.08, P=0.029. Patients with hypertension are likely to develop cognitive failure than those with normal blood pressure. Conclusion: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension is rising in medical students. Anxiety and stress being the major causes need to be addressed so as to maintain cognitive well-being of the undergraduate medical students.

Sleep Quality, Daytime Sleepiness and Mental Health in Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

Introduction: Sleep deprivation is a growing problem, especially among medical students who must meet high academic standards, as well as, their parent’s expectations. Since poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness have important consequences in the mental health of medical undergraduate students the management of these problems would begin with and be guided by assessment of these sleep-related and mental health parameters. Aim: To evaluate the sleep quality and effects of sleep deprivation on the psychological well-being and mental health of undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted by Department of Psychiatry, G.S. Medical College and Hospital Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India, on undergraduate students, for a period of a month in May 2022. Four hundred medical undergraduate students from 1st, 2nd, 3rd part 1 and 3rd part 2 Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS) years, who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were enrolled in the present study after their informed consent was taken. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EPSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) were used to assess the participants. Sleep quality and sleepiness were correlated with anxiety depression, stress, and subjective general well-being using Spearman’s coefficient with significance at 0.05 and 0.001 levels. Results: The study participants were in the age group of 17-24 years and majority of the students (n=130, 32.5%) were 20-yearold. Females accounted for near half of the study participants (n=190, 47.5%). Most of the students in the participant group had poor sleep quality with a mean of 6.75±1.811 and issues of daytime sleepiness (10.68±3.481). The DASS-21 revealed severe anxiety (15.5±2.473) and moderate stress (22.89±3.396) levels. Significant positive correlation was seen between the anxiety (r=0.110; p-value <0.05) and stress (r=0.452; p-value <0.01) index with EPSS. A significant positive correlation was found between anxiety (r=0.118, p-value <0.05), stress (r=0.410; p-value <0.01) and psychological well-being (r=0.119; p-value <0.01) and PSQI score. Conclusion: The study revealed that, many undergraduate medical students in different semesters slept insufficiently and struggled with daytime tiredness. Among the students, higher stress and anxiety levels, along with a low level of subjective psychological well-being were discovered. Additionally, the study revealed higher levels of anxiety and stress in medical undergraduates, who had poorer sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. Also, students with poor quality of sleep had lower psychological general well-being.

Subjective wellbeing and academic success of first-generation and continuing-generation medical students

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the differences in mental wellbeing and academic satisfaction among first-generation and continuing-generation medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, including 263 clinical-phase 5th- and 6th-year medical students. The study used two validated questionnaires: the College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (CSSWQ) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Results: The study had a response rate of 69.8%. Around one third students (34.6%) had parents or siblings who had graduated from medical school. The mean PANAS positive and negative affect scores were 31.4 ± 8 and 23.7 ± 8.2, respectively. Academic efficacy, school connectedness, college gratitude, and the composite measure of college student wellbeing had mean scores of 4.8 ± 1.4, 4.6 ± 1.4, 5.1 ± 1.2, 6.2 ± 0.9, and 5.2 ± 1, respectively. Gender was a significant predictor of the PANAS negative affect score (P = 0.001), academic efficacy (P = 0.04), and school connectedness (P = 0.026). The father's education level significantly influenced academic satisfaction (P = 0.01), school connectedness (P = 0.009), and college student wellbeing composites (P = 0.03). Additionally, having a sister who had graduated from medical school was a significant factor affecting the PANAS score (P = 0.05). Conclusion: Medical students' PANAS and CSSWQ scores might be impacted by their parents' education level in both first and continuing-generation medical students. In continuing-generation medical students, the graduation status of their siblings had a significant impact on their PANAS score.

Imposter syndrome and burnout: a study among medical students in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, in Riyadh City

Background: Imposter syndrome (IS), characterized by an inability to internalize achievements despite objective success, leads to persistent selfdoubt and apprehension about revealing one's true capabilities. This study investigates the prevalence of burnout and IS and explores their interrelation among medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, KSAU-HS. The study encompassed a total of 1,000 medical students, with a sample size of 278 male and female students spanning the third to sixth years. Data was collected via selfadministered online questionnaires and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program. The data was presented in terms of frequency and percentages. Results: Among the enrolled participants (n = 270), 203 (75.2%) were male, and the average age was 22.6 ± 11.6 years. The majority of participants, 221 (81.9%), were nonsmokers. The prevalence of IS within the study cohort was 128 (47.4%), while the prevalence of burnout risk stood at 203 (75.2%). Significantly, a noteworthy association between IS and burnout was established (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: This study underscores the considerable prevalence of IS among medical students, where nearly half of the participants experienced this phenomenon. Additionally, a substantial proportion of participants faced burnout, with over two-thirds affected. The identified connection between IS and burnout points toward the importance of addressing both issues in order to promote the overall well-being and academic success of medical students.

Cyberbullying Victimisation and Psychological Well-being: A Cross-sectional Study among Medical Students in Western India

Introduction: Cyberbullying is the voluntary and repetitious abuse that is inflicted through computers/mobile phones/other electronic devices, using language that can defame, threaten, harass, bully, exclude, discriminate, demean, humiliate, stalk, disclose personal information or contain offensive, vulgar comments. Within the last decade, cyber bullying has received a high level of attention from researchers worldwide. The reason is the continuous advancements of technological tools and their link with mental health issues. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cyber bullying victimisation and its effect on the psychological wellbeing of medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 502 medical students studying at Medical College Baroda, Gujarat in western India from January 2022 to June 2022. Medical students were assessed for cyberbullying victimisation using Cyber-Victimisation Scale (CYBVICS). The impact of cyberbullying on psychological well-being was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) for screening of depression and anxiety, respectively. Data were analysed with epi info. Qualitative variables like socio-demographics and clinical parameters were summarised in frequency and percentages. The Chi-square test was applied to evaluate the association between categorical variables. The p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Among 502 medical students, 71 (14.14%) were victims of mild cyberbullying, whereas 90 (17.93%) and 103 (20.52%) had experienced moderate and severe cyberbullying victimisation, respectively. Among all participants, 20 (4%) (Chisquare=39.329, p=<0.0001) and 16 (3.19%) (Chi-square=21.686, p=<0.0001) screened positive for depression and anxiety, respectively. Conclusion: The cyberbullying victimisation was much more prevalent among medical students and is having a strong negative impact on the psychological well-being of students, causing significant depressive and anxiety symptoms. The severity of impact was increasing with the increasing severity of cyberbullying victimisation. Such studies will help healthcare professionals and institutional interventions to protect those likely to fall victim of cyberbullying.

Restorative yoga therapy for third-year medical students in pediatrics rotation: Working to improve medical student well-being.

Stress experienced by medical students is a well-documented and widespread phenomenon that may have physical and psychological effects on their well-being. One solution is to provide students with the tools to recognize and cope with stress. The aim of this study was to incorporate restorative yoga training-a well-recognized tool for stress reduction-in the third-year medical student pediatrics clerkship and assess the intervention's impact on students' well-being. Restorative yoga, as a prospective intervention, was offered to third-year medical students at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center during their pediatrics rotation. The study was between March and August 2020. Each yoga session lasted 45-minutes, once a week for six weeks. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires before and after the intervention via the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Over the six-month study period, 25 (71%) of 35 medical students, having been given the option, chose to participate. The WEMWBS contains 14 statements on well-being, and all but one from the list showed a positive increase in average rating from pre intervention to post intervention. The statements "I've been feeling more relaxed" and "I've been thinking clearly" showed the greatest average increase. Following Chi-squared testing, two statements were found to be significantly different (P < 0.05) before intervention and after intervention: "I've been feeling more relaxed" and "I've been feeling good about myself." Students' well-being is paramount to medical schools. Restorative yoga offers hopeful outcomes for effective mitigation of the stresses of medical education and may be recommended for wider use.

The Mediating Role of Sleep Quality in the Relationship between Negative Emotional States and Health-Related Quality of Life among Italian Medical Students.

Sleep problems have been shown to be related to adverse outcomes concerning physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, mental health issues and sleep problems were reported to be highly prevalent among medical students and physicians, and were found to be associated with worse academic and clinical performance in these populations. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of poor sleep to examine the associations between sleep quality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to explore the possible mediating role of sleep in the relationship between psychological distress and HRQoL itself in a sample of medical and dental students attending a large Italian university. Participants (n = 407, mean age: 24.2 ± 2.4) answered an online questionnaire comprising the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Short Form-12 health survey. Up to 62% of the participants reported poor sleep quality. Controlling for psychological distress, sleep quality components were found to be associated with physical and mental HRQoL. Mediation analysis showed that overall sleep quality mediated all the single associations between anxiety, depression, and stress and HRQoL. These preliminary findings suggest that the quality of sleep is important for the well-being of medical students and that targeting sleep issues in this academic population may be beneficial.

In What Way Does Music Improve Learning in Medical Education? A Systematic Review

Introduction: Music has been widely used in teaching and learning due to its observed positive effects. This review aimed to identify the beneficial impacts of music utilization in medical education. Methods: Using four established databases; Scopus, ScienceDirect, JSTOR and PubMed, exhaustive searched of related articles were performed for articles published between January 2010 and January 2020 using combination of keywords. Screening of titles and abstracts were conducted, with removal of duplicates. Results: Five full text articles were finally reviewed, of which one cross-sectional, three intervention and a qualitative studies. Consensus between authors had successfully identified three themes, which were positive effect of music on the well-being and performance of the medical students, as well as improved patient-doctor communication skills. Conclusion: The findings of the review confirmed the positive effects of music utilization on the well-being and performance of medical students, as well as on patient-doctor communication skills

O045 Sleep management strategies among medical students

Abstract Introduction Medical students are undertaking an intense curriculum, the stress of which may cause or worsen insomnia and depressive symptoms. We aim to investigate factors which might affect the sleep of medical students, and how they currently manage their sleep. Methods A brief online survey was sent to medical students, consisting of validated questionnaires, and questions related to sleep management strategies. Results We recruited 828 participants—49.5% reported insomnia symptoms and 51.4% reported depressive symptoms. After adjusting for gender, ethnicity and age, depressive symptoms (Mild: odds ratio (OR) = 6.26; Moderate: OR = 18.13; Severe: OR = 15.57), and sleep hygiene (OR = 1.07) were associated with insomnia symptoms. Commonly endorsed strategies for sleep management by students were undertaking regular exercise (80.1%), having consistent sleep-wake time (71.3%), and limiting caffeine intake (70.3%). Few were willing to see a clinician (23.4%) or take medication (22.3%). Participants with insomnia symptoms were more likely to prefer limiting their alcohol intake (OR = 1.77), limiting daytime naps (OR = 1.5), seeing clinicians (OR = 1.86), and taking sleep medication (OR = 3.98), but less likely to prefer avoiding intense work (OR = 0.71) or minimizing using electronics (OR = 0.60) close to bedtime than those without insomnia symptoms. High sleep self-efficacy was associated with lower odds for having insomnia symptoms (OR = 0.74 (0.70, 0.77)). Discussion Self-reported insomnia and depression are common among medical students. Increased awareness and greater resources are needed to support the sleep health and emotional well-being of medical students.

A scoping review of the literature on the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the psychological wellbeing of medical students

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to identify the nature and extent of the available published research on the impact of social isolation, on the psychological wellbeing of medical students, who had to quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsDesign. Scoping review. Search strategy. The PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews), guideline, was used to structure this study. A search strategy was carried out across six bibliographic databases. PubMed, Embase, ERIC, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Web of Science. The following search terms were used, “medical student*” AND “impact” AND “quarantine” AND “COVID-19”. Searches were initially confined to articles published (excluding conference abstracts) between 1 January 2019- 21 August 2021 but updated in September 2022 with the original search terms expanded to include “isolation” or “lockdown” as well as “quarantine” and the period of search extended to 21 August 2022. A search of secondary references was conducted. Data from the selected studies were extracted, and the following variables recorded; first author and year of publication, country of study, study design, sample size, participants, mode of analysing impact of quarantine from COVID-19 on mental health and results of the studies.ResultsA total of 223 articles were identified in the original search in 2021 and 387 articles, in the updated search in 2022. Following the exclusion of duplicates and application of the agreed inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 full-text articles were identified for the final review, most of which were cross sectional studies. Sample sizes ranged from 13 to 4193 students and most studies used a variety of self-administered questionnaires to measure psychological wellbeing. Overall, 26 of the 31 articles showed that quarantine had a negative impact on the psychological well-being of medical students. However, two studies showed no impact, and three studies showed an improvement.ConclusionThe evidence is growing. Quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a negative impact on the psychological wellbeing of medical students, but this is not certain. There is therefore a need for more studies to further evaluate this research question.

Occurrence of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students working during COVID Pandemic

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, medical students have been allotted various duties like rapid antigen testing, Sanjivani corona ghar seva (service provided by the government for home quarantine people), RTPCR swab collection, and posting in wards and intensive care units (ICUs). While executing the COVID-19 duties, students had a significant degree of a significant degree of ambiguity and apprehension. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical students performing COVID-19 duties.Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional observational study was conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate students of a tertiary care teaching hospital, who were deployed on COVID-19 duty during pandemic. A google form-based questionnaire was structured, encompassing demographic details, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire and other (additional) COVID-19 duty related questions. The analysis of data was done by using unpaired t-test and chi-square test in Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0Results: In our research study, we found that occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 40.46%, 48.37%, and 30.69% among the medical students during COVID -19 duty, respectively. Higher occurrence and more severity (p&lt;0.01) of depression, anxiety and stress was seen in female medical students during COVID-19 duty in pandemic.Conclusions: We observed a higher occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students while performing their COVID-19 duty in a pandemic. Medical students played a significant role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, measures should be taken to ensure the psychological wellbeing of medical students.

Perspectives on mental health services for medical students at a Ugandan medical school

BackgroundUniversity-based mental health services for medical students remain a challenge, particularly in low-income countries, due to poor service availability. Prior studies have explored the availability of mental health services in high-income countries but little is known about mental health services in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Uganda. Medical students are at a higher risk of developing mental health challenges during their course of study as compared with other students. Thus, there is a need for well-structured mental health services for this group of students. The aim of this study was to explore perspectives on mental health services for medical students at a public University in Uganda.MethodsThis was a qualitative study where key informant interviews were conducted among purposively selected university administrators (n = 4), student leaders (n = 4), and mental health employees of the university (n = 3), three groups responsible for the mental well-being of medical students at a public university in Uganda. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to identify relevant themes.ResultsThe working experience of university administrators and mental health providers was between eight months to 20 years, while student leaders had studied at the university for over four years. We identified five broad themes: (1) Burden of medical school: A curriculum of trauma, (2) Negative coping mechanisms and the problem of blame, (3) The promise of services: Mixed Messages, (4) A broken mental health system for students, and (5) Barriers to mental health services.ConclusionDistinguishing between psychological distress that is anticipated because of the subject matter in learning medicine and identifying those students that are suffering from untreated psychiatric disorders is an important conceptual task for universities. This can be done through offering education about mental health and well-being for administrators, giving arm’s length support for students, and a proactive, not reactive, approach to mental health. There is also a need to redesign the medical curriculum to change the medical education culture through pedagogical considerations of how trauma informs the learning and the mental health of students.

One Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic: an Update on Medical Student Experiences and Well-being.

One Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic: an Update on Medical Student Experiences and Well-being.

Medical Student Well-Being While Studying for the USMLE Step 1: The Impact of a Goal Score.

Medical Student Well-Being While Studying for the USMLE Step 1: The Impact of a Goal Score.

The lived experience of medical students during COVID-19 pandemic: the impact on lifestyle and mental wellbeing

PurposeThe paper intends to explore the lived experiences of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on their lifestyles and mental wellbeing.Design/methodology/approachFourteen medical students from the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain, were enrolled, and their narratives were obtained. Data were analyzed and conducted using Colaizzi’s phenomenological descriptive method of enquiry.FindingsThe analysis identified two themes, along with nine subthemes, that were generated. The first theme focused on mental and social experiences, while the second focused on lifestyle changes. During the pandemic, students had time to reflect on themselves and started to think positively about their lives, although they felt fearful, uncertain, stressed and anxious due to preventive control measures that were mandated, including social distancing and lockdowns. Participants’ lifestyles changed generally negatively, as they adapted to the preventive measures, rendering them physically inactive and exposing them to unhealthy food and disturbed sleep.Originality/valueThe findings provide an insight into the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lifestyle and mental wellbeing of medical students. Educational institutes need to offer their students both short as well as long-term health, social and mental support to overcome the impact of the pandemic on their lives.

Motivation to Impact: Medical Student Volunteerism in the COVID 19 Pandemic.

ObjectiveVolunteerism represents an important mechanism to promote resilience, empathy, and general well-being in medical students, a group that stands to benefit. Medical students report feelings of fatigue, burnout, exhaustion, and stress that correlates with poor academic performance, and significant decline in empathy over the 3rd year of both MD and DO programs. Volunteer motivations have been shown to mediate participant well-being. The relationship between medical student volunteer motivations and specific outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been addressed.MethodsWe characterized features of medical student volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, including volunteering motivation using the Volunteer Functions Inventory, the types of activities in which they participated, and the physical, psychosocial, and emotional outcomes they experienced following volunteering.ResultsAltruistic and humanitarian values–centric motivation predicts positive volunteering outcomes including increased resilience, ability to deal with disappointment and loss, and ability to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Values-centric motivation also increases volunteer empathy independent of educational stage. Values-centric participants were more likely to select volunteering activities with patient contact, which promotes student empathy and resilience. Conversely, career-centric motivation does not predict positive outcomes. These students are more likely to engage in research-oriented activities.ConclusionsThe efficacy of integrating volunteerism into medical school curricula may be limited by professional pressure that manifests as career-oriented motivation. We propose that practical integration should promote altruistic and humanitarian values–centric participant orientation to the volunteering process, which is associated with enhanced recruitment, preservation of empathy, and additional positive volunteering outcomes of interest.

The impact of covid-19: Anxiety, depression, and wellbeing among medical students.

Medical students have been considered as a vulnerable group at higher risk of mental health issues during the COVID-19 outbreak. We set out to detect symptoms of depression and anxiety in medical students in St. Petersburg (Russia) during the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak and explore the associations between psychosocial factors related to the pandemic and students' psychological well-being. An anonymous online survey of medical students was conducted in May-June 2020. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for screening anxiety and depression symptoms. The final sample consisted of 144 students (78.5% females). About 69.4% of respondents reported that COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions were a new source of stress in their lives. More than one-third (38.9%) of respondents reported a need for psychological (emotional) support due to a change in their daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the vast majority (83.9%) of these respondents indicated an increased need for support in this specific period. Symptoms of anxiety were reported by 55.8% of females (HADS score: 9.05 ± 4.69) and 48.4% of males (8.09 ± 5.0), and symptoms of depression were found in 38.9% of females (6.40 ± 3.57) and 41.9% of males (6.16 ± 3.21). These findings indicate that it is necessary to develop additional measures for the prevention and early diagnosis of mental disorders along with right levels of support for wellbeing and mental health of medical students in this ongoing pandemic.