Education curriculum for surgical interns that improves stress management and grit levels

Overwhelming stress or burnout has been observed in medical students, including 69% of surgical interns. This study aimed to assess the stress levels of fifth-year medical students during surgical training. An education curriculum with both clinical and research sessions was evaluated for its effect on the interns' stress and grit levels.

A blinded, prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an educational program on the recognition and management of stress. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety. The Grit Scale was used to quantify the interns' grit, conscientiousness, and self-control.

The STAI survey results showed that the STAI state scores but not the trait scores were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the postintervention STAI score and the change in the STAI score were both lower in the intervention group (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in grit among the medical students in the intervention group from baseline to post-intervention (p < 0.001). The scores of the consistency and perseverance subscales of the Grit Scale also increased significantly from baseline to post-intervention (both p < 0.001).

The education curriculum can improve interns' stress management and grit levels. We believe this curriculum needs to be implemented in medical education, and we plan to continue the program.