Mental Health Of Medical Students Research Articles

The impact of COVID-19 on medical education and training

The COVID-19 pandemic social isolation policies have accelerated the shift to online teaching for medical students and doctors in training worldwide. Online learning is cost-effective, available, and flexible. However, it can be challenging due to the technical system errors, which results in the disruption of the learning process and social isolation yielding to less satisfaction among students and teachers. The above can have negative consequences on the mental health of medical students and trainees, which is an under-researched area. United Kingdom based medical students and doctors in speciality training encountered disruptions to medical education and training due to the pandemic. Medical school and deaneries had to endorse adjustments to teaching and training delivery methods, examination, and assessments to ensure the continued progression of learning and training. A successful e-learning model depends on motivated and well-prepared medical students and teachers and structured educational materials in supported learning environment and institutions. A blended model is likely to be utilised by medical institutions for medical training in the future, which will need to be researched.

IJCM_388A: Sleep disturbances and associated factors among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary health care center in central India: A cross sectional study

Background: Within the rigorous environment of medical education, the well-being of students is a critical concern. Sleep disturbances, a prevalent yet understudied issue, may pose significant challenges to the academics and mental health of medical students. Objective: To assess the sleep disturbances and associated factors among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary health care center. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 undergraduate medical students in a tertiary health care center from September to November 2023. Study was conducted using self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic profile and standardized tool Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Results: Out of 256 students,161(62.9%) were suffering from sleep disturbances.72% of them had less than 1 hour time gap between screen time and their regular sleep. There was a significant association between sleep disturbances and repeated worrying about lots of tests, illness during past month, felt isolated and feeling lost something in life. Conclusion: This study showed that majority of undergraduate medical students suffer from sleep disturbances. It becomes evident that fostering a supportive environment and promoting healthy sleep practices are indispensable for the overall wellbeing and success of medical students.

Medical students’ mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the well-being, both mental and physical, of students worldwide. Medical students faced challenges in the educational process, including online education, uncertainty as for the terms of licensing exams, and limited practical experience. The present study aimed to compare the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of medical students from Ukraine, India, and African countries, focusing on the frequency of incidence of psychosomatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression. 230 students of the Academic and Research Medical Institute of Sumy State University were survey participants. The mental well-being of medical students was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using the statistical software PAST v4.03. It was found that 60 % of students had mental health disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms of depression were detected in 15% of medical students, psychosomatic symptoms in 34%, anxiety and insomnia in 47%, and social dysfunction in 65% of respondents. The main psycho-emotional disorder in most students was social dysfunction, which was associated with limited social activity during quarantine. It was found that students from India and African countries had a higher incidence of depression than Ukrainian students. Obviously, being away from home during a pandemic has an additional negative impact on the mental health of international students. The frequency of anxiety and insomnia was higher among Ukrainians than among foreign students. Changes in learning environments and concerns about personal and family health have contributed to heightened anxiety levels among Ukrainian students. It should be noted that with the transition to online learning and communication, students had to spend more time in front of screens, which could contribute to digital fatigue, disrupt sleep patterns, and negatively affect mental well-being. The results of the study provided valuable insight into the mental health challenges faced by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to their nationality, highlighting the need for targeted psychological support interventions for students to improve their mental health.

Physical activity and mental health of medical students.

Medical students usually do not meet the recommendations on the minimum level of physical activity, despite knowing the impact that physical activity has on the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Medical students are considered to be insufficiently physically active. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of physically active fifth-year medical students at five universities in Serbia, as well as to identify factors associated with insufficient physical activity of students. A cross-sectional study was performed in the population of fifth-year medical students from five different universities in Serbia. The research instrument was a questionnaire specially designed based on similar research. Descriptive and analytical statistics methods were used in statistical analysis. The study included a total of 573 fifth-year medical students from five universities in Serbia: 311 (54.3%) Belgrade; 86 (15.0%) Kragujevac; 58 (10.1%) Nis; 66 (11.5%) Kosovska Mitrovica; 52 (9.1%) Novi Sad. Insufficient physical activity was statistically significantly associated with studying at the University of Kosovska Mitrovica (OR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.83-8.57). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of anti-anxiety medications use in the last 12 months between students with sufficient and insufficient physical activity (p = 0.040) as well as in the average number of cigarettes smoked per day between students with sufficient and those with insufficient physical activity (2.82 ± 6.35 vs. 4.50 ± 8.29, p = 0.043). There was also a statistically significant difference in the average score on the Beck's depression scale between students with sufficient and students with insufficient physical activity (6.51 ± 6.59 vs. 10.03 ± 9.37, p < 0.001) and in the average score on Zung's anxiety scale (34.86 ± 8.18 vs. 38.07 ± 8.71, p = 0.003). A high percentage of medical faculty students (86.6%) are physically active. Differences in the level of physical activity were observed between students of these five universities as well as between students with different levels of physical activity.

The prevalence of depression and anxiety among medical students in Yemen: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMedical students may experience mental health disorders like anxiety and depression during medical school, which can negatively impact their productivity, education, and overall quality of life. Currently, there are no studies examining the mental health of medical students in Yemen. Our study aimed to estimate prevalence of depression and anxiety among Yemeni medical students. MethodsThe study utilized a cross-sectional design. A survey was conducted using validated psychometric tests: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety. A survey of medical students from 10 Yemeni medical schools took place from June 6 to July 20, 2023. It included only actively enrolled students in the 7-year undergraduate program. ResultsA total of 706 responses were collected. The prevalence of depression was 48.4 % for cases classified as moderate, moderately severe, and severe, while it was 20 % for cases categorized as moderately severe and severe. The rate of suicide ideation was 14.7 %. Anxiety was found to have a prevalence of 34.8 % for cases categorized as moderate and severe. Furthermore, both depression and anxiety were higher among females, and in earlier academic years; all of these associations had a p-value <0.05. Conversely, age, living status, income stability, and displacement risk all showed no significant association with depression or anxiety. ConclusionOur study highlighted the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Yemeni medical students. Tailored interventions are imperative to address these challenges. Future research needs to examine the root causes that might contribute to these disorders.

Factors associated with mental health in medical students at UFAL/Arapiraca

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among medical students at the Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca campus. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between September and December 2022. The final sample consisted of 145 volunteers, 53.1% of whom were male. The results showed that 34.5% had depressive symptoms and 16.55% had suicidal ideation, with these conditions being associated with each other. In addition, students who declared themselves to be atheist/agnostic had more suicidal ideation compared to the others [p&lt;0.01]. These results indicate a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in the sample investigated, pointing to the need to develop public policies that ensure the mental and physical integrity of medical students.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF GADGET ADDICTION ON MENTAL HEALTH IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Smartphone, is a term to distinguish advanced feature phones from basic feature phones. Excessive smartphone use or addiction can lead to negative health consequences such as neck pain, accidents, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. This study aims to determine how the influence of gadget use addiction on mental health in medical students. Method used (narrative review/systematic review with PRISMA 2020). Research was collected through searches on Google Scholar from 2019 to 2023, Ebscho from 2019 to 2023 with full text limits and PubMed from 2019 to 2023. The keyword searches used are smartphone addiction, mental health, and medical student. 210 results were found from Google Scholar, 15 results were found on Ebscho, 31 results were found on PubMed, and 21 studies were included in the study. Results of the 256 journals netted, there are 21 journals that match the category of literature review titles. There is a significant relationship between gadget addiction to mental health in medical students, especially in women.

"Listen to Me; Here’s an Analysis of Social Media Impact on Mental Health of Medical Students"

"Listen to Me; Here’s an Analysis of Social Media Impact on Mental Health of Medical Students"

Anxiety and depression in the pandemic: assessment of the mental health of medical students

Nos últimos anos houve um aumento considerável da prevalência de transtornos mentais, com destaque para estudantes de medicina. OBJETIVO: Com a pandemia do COVID-19 e as mudanças trazidas por ela, viu-se a necessidade de identificar a prevalência de sintomas de depressão e ansiedade em acadêmicos de medicina de uma universidade do Norte do Brazil durante esse período. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, do tipo transversal, realizado com 240 estudantes de medicina, durante a segunda onda da pandemia do COVID-19. Foi aplicado um questionário validado, via Google Forms para avaliar e classificar sintomas de depressão e ansiedade. Foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado para avaliar as correlações. RESULTADOS: a partir da aplicação do questionário, pôde-se observar que a em sua maioria os estudantes apresentavam ausência de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, entretanto, entre os que apresentaram, 14,9% das mulheres apresentaram ansiedade severa. Foi visto que não houve associação significativa entre idade e presença de sintomas de transtorno mental e ainda, observou-se que sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foram mais relatados em alunos do primeiro, segundo e quarto ano. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que os participantes da pesquisa apresentaram níveis leves de ansiedade e depressão, diferindo da maioria dos estudos científicos. Percebeu-se que houve maior prevalência de sintomas moderados a graves de ansiedade na população feminina e de depressão no sexo masculino. A idade média mais acometida foi de 23 anos, em alunos do primeiro e quarto ano.

Anxiety and depression in the pandemic: assessment of the mental health of medical students

Anxiety and depression in the pandemic: assessment of the mental health of medical students

Medical students and mental health: prevalence of psychopathology symptoms and associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Medical Students are at elevated risk of suffering a psychopathology and the COVID-19 pandemic has risen the prevalence of such pathologies in the population. Method: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study for prevalence determination applying a series of self-applied instruments (BDI-2, BAI, OCI-R, PANSI, and DAST-10) to a representative sample of freshmen to determine possible diagnoses of psychopathology. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS 27 Results: 59% showed symptomatology of at least one of studied psychopathologies. 47.8% showed more than one diagnosis, being the more frequent morbidities depression-anxiety (16.4%) and depression-anxiety-OCD (16.4%). The risk for presenting a psychopathology quadrupled (OR=4.3, p=0.05) in those who had a negative emotional impact by COVID-19. Students living by themselves had four times the risk (OR=4.1, p=0.06) of showing a psychiatric diagnosis than hose who live with any kind of companions. Conclusion: the mental health of Medical Students should be closely observed, and mental health interventions directed to social support systems publicized and applied.

Teaching and mental health in medical students.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between quality of life, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in medical students and the university teaching method: traditional method versus active methodology. Four questionnaires were administered to volunteer students (n=361) enrolled in two institutions that employ active (Universidade Tiradentes) or traditional (Faculdade de Medicina do ABC) teaching methodology: socioeconomic level; brief quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref); perceived stress scale (PSS10); and depression and anxiety scale (hospital anxiety and depression scale). Of the students who responded to the questionnaires (226 UNIT and 135 FMABC), 70% were female and 67% were White. The majority did not use medication for depression (90%), anxiety (81%), and stress management (91%). Regarding anxiety, it was found: absence in the traditional method and moderate anxiety in the active methodology (26% UNIT×13% FMABC) (p<0.001). Regarding quality of life, it was found to be better quality of life in the environment domain at FMABC (78.12%) versus 71.88% at the UNIT (p<0.001). There was no difference between the institutions in relation to depression and perceived stress, and in quality of lifethere was only a difference in the environmental domain (p<0.001). In relation to gender, stress was higher in females (93.7%) than males (79.6%) with p<0.001. Differences were recorded between the groups regarding anxiety, with a predominance in UNIT students (active methodology), and no differences were recorded in relation to depression, perceived stress, and quality of life in all domains, except for the environment domain, which was higher in the traditional methodology, although about one-third of participants used medication for anxiety/depression.

PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATION OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF NEPAL

Background: Medical training can be a period of significant psychological distress but adequate data examining the prevalence and association of poor mental health in medical students in Nepal is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate medical students in Nepal. Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) in addition to questions about socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine correlation. Results: Among the 551 participants, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 50.1%, 62.8% and 42.3% respectively. Female gender, being bullied, and dissatisfaction with one’s academic performance were significant predictors of all three outcomes. Alcohol consumption was an additional predictor of stress.. Conclusions: Nepalese medical students experience high levels of psychological distress. There is a need for relevant authorities to implement changes to the medical education system in Nepal and develop adequate support services for this population.

Психічне здоров’я студентів медиків в умовах пандемії COVID-19

Introduction. The article focuses on the importance of studying the mental health of medical students. It specifically compares the mental well-being of domestic and foreign students, highlighting cultural and educational differences that impact their mental health. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and anxiety levels among students, especially in the medical field, have increased, making this study highly relevant. The article proposes the development of a psychocorrection program to maintain and improve mental health using proven approaches and techniques adapted to medical education and student life. This program can be easily integrated into the educational process to effectively reduce psychological stress, prevent serious mental disorders and improve the mental health of students. Materials and methods. 185 higher education students were surveyed, including: 94 domestic students (main group) and 91 foreign students (comparison group). Both groups were from the Bogomolets National Medical University. The following methods were used in the study: ADNM-20, HADS, CSE, FPI, NSI, SF-36, CD-RISC, DERS. The following methods of statistical data processing were used in your work: descriptive statistics to summarize demographic and other basic characteristics of the groups, such as mean values (μ ± SD), percentages, and number of participants in each group. t-test for independent samples to compare the mean values between two groups of students (domestic and foreign) on different psychological scales. The Mann-Whitney U-test was also used to test for statistical differences between two independent groups when the data distribution did not follow a normal pattern. Pearson's correlation coefficient to analyze the relationships between different psychological and demographic variables in domestic and international students. Effect size analysis to assess the practical significance of the identified statistical differences between the groups. We have additionally performed a regression analysis. Results. Findings from recent research have shown that international students experience notably higher levels of stress, anxiety, and adaptation difficulties in comparison to their domestic counterparts. It is widely believed that these challenges are due, in large part, to the additional pressure of cultural adaptation and language barriers. To tackle this issue, a psychocorrection program has been proposed, with a specific focus on medical students. The program aims to use cognitive-behavioural interventions to enhance resilience and emotional regulation, with the ultimate goal of mitigating psychological distress and improving overall mental well-being.

Autolesiones no suicidas en estudiantes de medicina: frecuencia y factores asociados

Introduction: the mental health of medical students has been extensively researched, showing that they are part of a group vulnerable to the development of mental disorders. Aim: the aim of this research was to determine the frequency of NSSI and its associated factors in medical students in Paraguay. Methodology: this was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. An online survey was launched to assess depression, anxiety, and self-harm, the PHQ-2, the GAD-7 and SHQ scales were used, respectively. Results: we received responses from 330 medical students. Of the participants, 71.2 % were female. 46.4% of the participants were identified as having depression (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) and 37.3 % as having anxiety (GAD-7 ≥10). The frequency of NSSI was 27 % (n = 89). The main factors associated with NSSI were a previous diagnosis of a mental disorder (which increased the likelihood of NSSI by 3.76 times) and/ or a history of physical or sexual abuse (with a 3.75-fold increase). Conclusion: this research found the presence of NSSI in almost 3 out of 10 of the medical students surveyed. The main factors associated with self-injurious behavior were a previous diagnosis of a mental disorder and/or a history of physical or sexual abuse.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Physical Activity and Mental Health of Medical Students

To assess the effects of COVID-19 on the physical activity and mental health of medical students in the universities of Lahore. It was a cross-sectional study that was conducted within a time period of two months among the students of public and private universities of Lahore, Pakistan (Services institute of medical sciences (SIMS) and Allama Iqbal medical college (AIMC). Data for the study was collected by administrating questionnaires from medical students. Results were analyzed by using SPSS version 26. Among 170 medical students, most of them were male and 77.65% think that lockdown has affected their physical activities and 58.82% think that lockdown has affected their mental health. There is significant increase in number of people who participated in Indoor games during lockdown from 51.2 % to 81.8 % while there was reduction in no. of people who play Outdoor Games during lockdown from 33.5 % to 8.8 %.61.76% think that lockdown has affected their sports activities, While 38.24% think that lockdown has not affected their sports activities. During lockdown 31.76% of the participants, rarely have the thought that they might have caught coronavirus. 31.76%of the participants never have the thought that they might have caught coronavirus. The health authorities and student affairs department of medical college’s should take proper measures to guide the students on how to improve mental as well as physical health during COVID-19 restrictions.

Examining mental health of medical students: a DASS21 scale assessment

Background: Stress is a global phenomenon that affects nearly everyone. The medical curriculum is often regarded as one of the most difficult professional degree courses in the world, and so the prevalence of stress is clear. Because of this trend, the pupils' mental health must be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to gather information about stress levels among undergraduate medical students. Methods: The research was carried out at the RUHS college of medical sciences. Data was acquired using Google Forms via a self-administered questionnaire that contained students' consent and semester information. The questionnaire consisted of 21 questions based on the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21). Results: The response rate of this study was 91.02% (213/234). The study also revealed more active female participation than male respondents. Out of the total responses (n=234), 54.6% were females and 44.8% were male. The analysis showed that medical students had experienced higher levels of depression (55%), and anxiety (64%) relative to stress (34%). Female students were found more anxious and depressed. Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among medical students. Preventive approaches for improving student mental health are so required.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of medical students and young physicians in Germany: Gender-specific results of an online survey

BackgroundHealthcare workers and medical students faced new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Processes within many hospitals were completely disrupted. In addition, the face to face teaching of medical students was drastically reduced. Those at risk of developing mental health problems appear to be younger health care workers and women. ObjectiveTo investigate potential COVID-19 pandemic-related gender differences in psychological distress among medical students and physicians in their first years of practice. Design and settingAn anonymous survey was carried out online between December 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, at the Mannheim Medical Faculty and the Würzburg Medical Faculty, Germany, after obtaining informed consent. Primary outcome measures were changes in anxiety and depression symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and changes in participants' current quality of life using the WHO Quality of Life BREF. ResultsThe results show wave-like courses for perceived anxiety and burden overlapping with the course of the COVID-19 incidence. In comparison to men, women showed a significant higher increase in HADS (p = 0.005) and a reduced life quality (p = 0.007) after COVID-19. Both sexes showed different frequencies of the factors influencing quality of life, with the presence of a previous mental illness and mean anxiety having a significant higher negative impact in women. ConclusionFuture and young female physicians reported a disproportionate higher burden during COVID-19 compared to their male colleges. These observations suggest an increased need for support and prevention efforts especially in this vulnerable population.

Mental health differences in medical students based on curriculum and gender

BackgroundThe prevalence of mental health struggles among students in medical school is widely reported; however, little is known about how it is impacted by the medical school curriculum. This study aimed to evaluate differences in anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion in medical students based on gender, class year, and curriculum.MethodsAn anonymous online survey consisting of questions from established, validated questionnaires about demographics, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and personal health behaviors was sent to 817 medical students who attended Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine during the Spring of 2021. When applying to this school, each of these students had the option to choose either the problem-based learning (PBL) or lecture-based learning (LBL) curriculum track.ResultsThe survey was completed by 222 students. Females experienced higher levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion than males. Students in the PBL had lower levels of emotional exhaustion than their peers in the LBL. Increase in emotional exhaustion was most pronounced between 1st and 2nd year students. Emotional exhaustion was inversely correlated with sleep and exercise.ConclusionsOn average, students who were either male or in the PBL curriculum experienced less mental distress in the form of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion than their peers. While gender continues to be an established factor in how mental distress is experienced, the reduced levels of emotional exhaustion in PBL students is a novel finding that can potentially shed light on how to better optimize medical education. Despite the inherent selection bias and lower number of PBL students, to our knowledge, this is the first study comparing two different curricula within a single institution. This finding along with a focus on good sleep and exercise habits may provide a path for improving mental health in medical students.

Reboot coaching programme: a mixed-methods evaluation assessing resilience, confidence, burnout and depression in medical students.

Poor mental health in medical students is a global concern. Effective interventions are required, which are tailored towards the training-related stressors medical students experience. The Reboot coaching programme is an online, tailored intervention based on cognitive-behavioural principles. To evaluate whether the Reboot coaching programme tailored for medical students was feasible and associated with improvements in mental health outcome indicators. Medical students participated in two group online workshops and a one-to-one coaching call with a Reboot-trained licensed psychological therapist. Participants provided data at: baseline (T1), post-workshops (T2), post-coaching call (T3) and 4-month follow-up (T4). Outcome measures included resilience, confidence, burnout and depression. Feedback was provided regarding the workshops at T2. 115 participants (93/80.9% women; mage = 23.9; SD = 2.8) were recruited, 83 (72.2%) completed all intervention elements and 82 (71.3%) provided T4 data, surpassing recruitment and retention targets. There were significant improvements following baseline in resilience (ps < .001), confidence (ps < .001), burnout (ps < .001) and depression (ps ≤ .001). Most participants agreed the workshops imparted useful skills (n = 92; 99%) and would recommend Reboot to others (n = 89; 95.6%). Existing interventions have produced mixed results regarding their effectiveness in improving medical students' mental health. Reboot is a feasible intervention in this group which is associated with improvements in resilience, confidence, burnout and depression. Further controlled studies of Reboot are now needed.