Related Experiment Videos
Stress and vulnerability in medical students
S M Stewart1, C Betson, I Marshall
1Department of Community Medicine, University of Hong Kong.
Medical Education
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Second-year medical students experience high distress, anxiety, and depression, often linked to academic pressures and curriculum concerns. Findings highlight the need for psychological support programs for medical trainees.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychology
- Student Well-being
Background:
- Medical school presents unique stressors impacting student mental health.
- Understanding psychological distress in medical trainees is crucial for effective support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess psychological distress, anxiety, and depression in Hong Kong Chinese medical students.
- To identify factors correlating with distress and explore coping mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed second-year medical students, first-year medical students, and non-medical university students.
- Utilized anxiety and depression self-report scales.
- Analyzed correlations between academic factors, coping styles, and psychological distress.
Main Results:
- Second-year medical students reported high distress, anxiety, and depression, with greater health service utilization.
- Concerns about the medical environment, curriculum, and academic ability correlated with distress.
- Optimism and active coping strategies were associated with lower distress, while wishful thinking was linked to higher distress.
Conclusions:
- Medical students, particularly in their second year, face significant psychological challenges.
- Intervention and support programs are needed to address the mental well-being of doctors-in-training.
- Longitudinal studies are recommended to further explore these findings and inform support strategies.