Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
Stressors and starting points for health-promoting interventions in medical school from the students' perspective: a
Thomas Kötter1, Nadine J Pohontsch, Edgar Voltmer
1Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23552, Lübeck, Germany, thomas.koetter@uksh.de.
Introduction:
Medical education is considered very challenging and connected with high levels of psychosocial stress for students. The aim of this study was to identify stressors and possible starting points for health-promoting interventions from the perspective of the students themselves.
Methods:
We conducted two focus groups with medical students from pre-clinical and clinical semesters. We analyzed the data using content analysis following Mayring's approach.
Results:
The stressors in the pre-clinical stage of medical education were more diverse and perceived as more intense than those in the clinical stage. They comprised contextual factors and individual behaviour. Participants mentioned the weekly examinations as a specific stressor. The existing absence regulations gave the participants the impression that they should not be absent through illness at any point during the course, and this idea further promoted presenteeism. Peer groups and mentoring programmes were perceived as helpful.
Conclusions:
Stressors and starting points for health-promoting interventions are closely related to the medical curriculum and its organization. As such, the curriculum itself-in addition to programmes aimed at improving stress management-should primarily stand at the centre of activities for enhancing students' health.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V

