A Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate Work-Life Balance Among Indian Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Work-life balance is essential for all professions, including medicine.
• Medical students and young graduates encounter unique challenges impacting their study-life equilibrium.
• Understanding these challenges is crucial for improving student well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate study and non-study hours among Indian medical students and graduates.
• To assess the prevailing study-life balance within this demographic.
• To identify factors contributing to stress in medical education.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, observational study design was employed.
• A web-based survey was distributed via social media to medical students and graduates across India.
• Data were collected using Google Forms and analyzed using SPSS.

Main Results:

• A total of 416 responses were analyzed, with a majority being female (64.2%) and from Telangana (63.9%).
• 43.8% studied less than 10 hours/week, while 27.2% studied 10-25 hours/week.
• 26% reported study-life stress, and 47.4% spent only 1-2 hours daily with family.

Conclusions:

• Study-life balance is a multifactorial issue involving stress management and personal well-being.
• Medical students require structured guidance for a smoother transition into medical school.
• Implementing strategies for better balance can enhance the overall medical education experience.