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Vicarious traumatization and coping in medical students: a pilot study
Cheryl S Al-Mateen1, Julie A Linker, Neha Damle
1Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA, calmateen@mcvh-vcu.edu.
Summary
Medical students can experience vicarious traumatization (VT) during clerkships, impacting their well-being and performance. The psychiatry clerkship is a common setting for VT, requiring educator awareness and support.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychiatry
- Student Well-being
Background:
- Medical training involves exposure to challenging patient cases.
- Student well-being is crucial for effective learning and future practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of traumatic experiences among medical students during clerkships.
- To identify symptoms and coping strategies related to these experiences.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous online survey administered to third-year medical students.
- Inquiry into traumatic experiences, associated symptoms, and coping mechanisms during required clerkships.
Main Results:
- Twenty-six percent of medical students reported experiencing vicarious traumatization (VT).
- The psychiatry clerkship was the site of VT for 50% of affected students.
Conclusions:
- Vicarious traumatization is a significant concern for medical educators, potentially affecting student performance and well-being.
- Psychiatry educators must be aware of VT risks to provide necessary student support.
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