The Transition of Medical Students Through Residency: Effects on Physical Activity and Other Lifestyle-Related Behaviors

Background:Little is known about lifestyle choices and preventive healthcare-seeking behaviors during the transition from medical school graduation to residency training, a period characterized by increased rates of stress and lack of free time due to demanding working conditions. All of these issues are likely to affect physical activity (PA) level. This study explored the evolution of PA and other lifestyle behaviors during this transition.Methods:A cross-sectional study and a cohort study were conducted with medical students (2010) and physicians before and after the first year of residency (2013 and 2014). A self-administered questionnaire assessed PA, health and lifestyle behaviors.Results:From a sample of 420 medical students and 478 residents, 74% comply with current PA guidelines. PA decreased by 16% during residency. Low levels of PA were found among (i) females and in respondents who reported (ii) poor self-perceived health and (iii) unhealthy body weight (P < .05). Low PA level was also significantly associated with poor mental health in first-year residents.Conclusions:The transition has a negative effect on physicians’ PA level that may affect physicians’ own health and patient care. Medical programs should encourage residents to engage in PA to assure physicians’ personal and mental health.

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The mental health and well-being benefits of exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of medical students and newly qualified doctors in the UK

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) ◽

10.1007/s11845-020-02423-z ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Conor Coyle ◽

Hanya Ghazi ◽

Ioannis Georgiou

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Medical Students ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mood Score ◽

The Uk ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background University students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is currently little data upon the measures that medical students and newly qualified doctors have taken to help their mental well-being and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim We aimed to identify the activities respondents found beneficial for their well-being and mental health and recorded a mood score from survey respondents. Methods A nationwide study was completed to investigate the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon medical students and newly qualified doctors (interim foundation year one). We received 2075 respondents from across the UK. Results Physical activity was found to be the most common activity used by the survey respondents to help with their mental well-being (80.1%) (medical students, 83.7%; interim foundation doctors, 72.3%). Participants who stated that exercise helped their well-being had a mean score (SD) of 52.3 (20.7) which was significantly higher (P = 0.048) than those who reported that they did not exercise (49.8 (21.1)). Respondents who stated they had used exercise to help with their mental well-being had (on average) a higher mood score than those who did not. This was seen in both the medical student and interim foundation doctor subgroups. Discussion Exercise can help to benefit the well-being of medical students and interim foundation doctors. It is hoped that higher education providers and employers recognise the importance of promoting physical activity for the well-being of their students and staff, respectively.

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Prevalence of poor mental health among medical students in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-017-1083-0 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Arjab Adhikari ◽

Aman Dutta ◽

Supriya Sapkota ◽

Abina Chapagain ◽

Anurag Aryal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Asociación entre actividad física y salud mental positiva en estudiantes de medicina en México: un estudio transversal

Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte ◽

10.6018/cpd.414381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Claudia Fouilloux ◽

Mariana Fouilloux-Morales ◽

Silvia Aracely Tafoya ◽

Ileana Petra-Micu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Medical Students ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Randomized Sampling ◽

Salud Mental ◽

De Medicina

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar la relación entre la práctica de actividad física y aspectos positivos de la salud mental de alumnos de medicina en México. Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado con una muestra aleatoria de 190 estudiantes, con edad media de 19.0 ±1.4 años, del primero y segundo grado de una escuela de medicina en la Ciudad de México. Se aplicó una batería de test de salud mental positiva que comprendía escalas para evaluar la satisfacción de los jóvenes con la vida, su resiliencia, autoconcepto y compromiso, así como el IPAQ que evalúa su práctica de actividad física. Se llevaron a cabo análisis descriptivos, comparativos y de regresión lineal múltiple. Se encontró una asociación significativa del nivel de actividad física practicada por los alumnos con su satisfacción con la vida (B = –1.64, IC95% = –2.90, –0.38, p = .011) y su capacidad de resiliencia (B = –2.41, IC95% = –3.87, –0.95, p = .001), controlando por factores sociodemográficos. La actividad física tuvo una asociación significativa con aspectos positivos de la salud mental de estudiantes de medicina en México; por ello, intervenciones orientadas a favorecer la práctica de actividad física pueden diseñarse y utilizarse no sólo en el tratamiento y prevención de trastornos mentales, sino también para promover la salud mental entre esta población. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the practice of physical activity and positive aspects of medical students’ mental health in Mexico. This was a cross-sectional study that applied randomized sampling, and data from 190 students, with a mean age of 19.0 ±1.4 years, from the first and second grades of a medical school in Mexico City were analyzed. The questionnaire comprised scales to assess students’ satisfaction with life, resilience, self-concept, and engagement, as well as the IPAQ that evaluates their practice of physical activity. Descriptive, comparative and multiple linear regression analyses were carried out. A significant association was found between students’ levels of physical activity, their satisfaction with life (B = –1.64, IC95% = –2.90, –0.38, p = .011) and their resilience skills (B = –2.41, IC95% = –3.87, –0.95, p = .001), controlling for sociodemographic factors. Physical activity had a significant association with positive aspects of Mexican medical students’ mental health; thus, interventions aimed at improving physical activity practice can be designed and utilized not only in the treatment and prevention of mental disorders but also to promote mental health among this population. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar a relação entre a prática de atividade física e aspectos positivos da saúde mental de estudantes de medicina do México. Este é um estudo transversal realizado com uma amostra aleatória de 190 alunos, com idade média de 19.0 ±1.4 anos, do primeiro e segundo ano de uma escola de medicina na Cidade do México. Foi aplicado um questionário que incluía escalas para avaliar a satisfação dos alunos com a vida, sua resiliência, autoconceito e comprometimento, além do IPAQ que avalia sua prática de atividade física. Foram realizadas análises descritivas, comparativas e de regressão linear múltipla. Foi encontrada associação significativa entre os níveis de atividade física praticados pelos alunos, a satisfação com a vida (B = –1.64, IC95% = –2.90, –0.38, p = .011) e a resiliência (B = –2.41, IC95% = –3.87, –0.95, p = .001), controlando para fatores sociodemográficos. A atividade física teve associação significativa com aspectos positivos da saúde mental de estudantes de medicina mexicanos; portanto, intervenções destinadas a promover a prática de atividade física podem ser planejadas e utilizadas não apenas no tratamento e prevenção de transtornos mentais, mas também para promover a saúde mental dessa população.

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Resilience and sense of coherence in first year medical students - a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53415/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lena Luibl ◽

Julia Traversari ◽

Friedrich Paulsen ◽

Michael Scholz ◽

Pascal Burger

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Female Students ◽

First Year ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Average ◽

First Year Medical Students

Abstract Background: A broad range of high-quality studies show that medical students often have a significantly deteriorated mental health status. Although starting medical school with values comparable to the population average, only a few semesters later, medical undergraduates show increased rates of psychological risk states and some manifest mental illnesses, such as burnout and depression. In our survey we intentionally assessed mental health parameters from a salutogenetic, i.e. resource-oriented point of view. Methods: We examined first-year medical students in a cross-sectional study and assessed sense of coherence (SOC) and resilience as parameters from the salutogenesis model by Antonovsky in a structured way using validated, self-administered questionnaires. In total, we examined 236 students of human medicine, dentistry and molecular medicine at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).Results: Our analyses showed significantly higher values of resilience among male students compared to female students. In contrast, even though a significant correlation between resilience and SOC was observed, only a non-significantly lower value of SOC was found in female students. Compared to the population average our medical students in their first year of study showed significantly lower values for resilience and SOC. Conclusion: Resilience and SOC are known to correlate with psychological stress (burnout parameters) and depression. In order to keep protective factors like SOC and resilience in medical students at a good and healthy level we see the necessity to address that problem proactively and also from the teaching side. Integrating training focused on the preservation of the students´ own mental health into the medical curriculum from the beginning of university courses, and throughout the whole medical study course, is essential and should be an obligatory training goal. Based on our study results, we also deem it necessary to think about ways to adapt the measures for the gender-specific needs of our students, e.g. dependent on their biological gender.

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Mental burden and perception of the study situation among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study and comparison of dental and medical students

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054728 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e054728

Author(s):

Jennifer Guse ◽

Annabel Susan Weegen ◽

Ines Heinen ◽

Corinna Bergelt

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Dental Student ◽

First Year ◽

Practical Training ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

ObjectivesTo investigate levels of distress, depression, anxiety, stress and perception of their current study situation during the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduate dental and medical students.DesignObservational, cross-sectional study including two consecutive surveys (May and July 2020).SettingA large medical school in Germany.ParticipantsAll first year dental and medical students were invited. 132 participating first year students (44 dental, 88 medical) from the first survey and 150 students (50 dental, 100 medical) from the second were included in our analyses.Primary and secondary outcome measuresMental burden (distress thermometer, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, Perceived Stress Scale-4) and self-reported changes in mental health and perception of study situation during the COVID-19 pandemic (self-developed items) were compared. Open-ended questions were analysed by conventional content analyses.ResultsA considerable proportion of students (t1: May 2020: 84.1%; t2: July 2020: 77.3%) reported distress levels above cut-off. In July 2020, dental students reported significantly higher distress scores than medical students (dental: M=7.0, SD=2.3; medical: M=5.7; SD=2.1; p<0.001). More dental than medical students reported mild, moderate and severe levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The majority stated that their mental health and study motivation had not changed during the pandemic. Logistic regression showed that being a dental student was significantly associated with a higher likelihood for serious worries regarding the study situation during COVID-19 at t1 (OR 4.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 14.2). At t2 higher distress was significantly associated with a higher likelihood for experiencing serious worries (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.5). Regarding current concerns related to the pandemic, students most frequently reported difficulties with self-regulated learning (15.2%), study-related worries and uncertainty (14.4%), missing feedback of students and lecturers (11.4%) and lack of practical training (9.8%).ConclusionThe results suggest that high mental burden and the lack of practical training among medical and dental students is an increasing problem, with a possibly even higher urgency in dental students. Tailored psychological and educational support offers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic might help them as they progress through (medical and) dental school.

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Resilience and sense of coherence in first year medical students - a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53415/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lena Luibl ◽

Julia Traversari ◽

Friedrich Paulsen ◽

Michael Scholz ◽

Pascal Burger

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Female Students ◽

First Year ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Average ◽

First Year Medical Students

Abstract Background: A broad range of studies show that medical students often have a significantly deteriorated mental health status. Although starting medical school with values comparable to the population average, only a few semesters later, medical undergraduates show increased rates of psychological risk states and some manifest mental illnesses, such as burnout and depression. In our survey we intentionally assessed mental health parameters from a salutogenetic, i.e. resource-oriented point of view. Methods: We examined first-year medical students in a cross-sectional study and assessed sense of coherence (SOC) and resilience as parameters from the salutogenesis model by Antonovsky in a structured way using validated, self-administered questionnaires. In total, we examined 236 students of human medicine, dentistry and molecular medicine at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).Results: Our analyses showed significantly higher values of resilience among male students compared to female students. In contrast, even though a significant correlation between resilience and SOC was observed, only a non-significantly lower value of SOC was found in female students. Compared to the population average our medical students in their first year of study showed significantly lower values for resilience and SOC. Conclusion: Resilience and SOC are known to correlate with psychological stress (burnout parameters) and depression. In order to keep protective factors like SOC and resilience in medical students at a good and healthy level we see the necessity to address that problem proactively and educationally. Integrating training focused on the preservation of the students´ own mental health into the medical curriculum from the beginning of university courses, and throughout the whole medical study course, is essential and should be an obligatory training goal. Based on our study results, we also deem it necessary to think about ways to adapt the measures for the gender-specific needs of our students, e.g. dependent on their biological gender.

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Role of physical activity on mental health and academic performance among medical students: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20195056 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 4789

Author(s):

Joseph Jose ◽

Sruthi M. V.

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Health Status ◽

Medical Students ◽

Mental Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Male Students ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) defines physical activity as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Since medical education is considered stressful due to voluminous academics, it leaves little time for the students to relax and recreate. Hence the present study had been undertaken with an aim to study various trends of physical activity, health status and academic performance among medical students and to find out any association between physical activity and health status, academic performance of medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study had been undertaken among 2nd and 3rd year MBBS students of our medical college. Physical activity was assessed using GPAQ version 2 questionnaire and mental status of students was measured using hospital anxiety and depression scale. Height, weight, and BMI, of each student along with demographic details were collected. The total percentage of any one of the internal marks of each student was taken for assessing the academic performance.Results: Out of total 150 medical students it was found that 44% of medical students were physically inactive and 40.7% of them were highly active. Majority of female students 70.3% were physically inactive and overweight and obesity were higher among them when compared with male students. But anxiety and depressive symptoms were higher among male students. There was statistically significant difference in association between level of physical activity and mental health. The academic performance also increased with increase in physical activity.Conclusions: Physical activity and mental health are related proportionally and it bears a positive influence on the education of the youth. The regular physical activity improves the mental status and academic performance among students.

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Resilience and sense of coherence in first year medical students - a cross-sectional study

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02571-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lena Luibl ◽

Julia Traversari ◽

Friedrich Paulsen ◽

Michael Scholz ◽

Pascal Burger

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Female Students ◽

First Year ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Results ◽

First Year Medical Students

AbstractBackgroundA broad range of studies show that medical students often have a significantly deteriorated mental health status. Although starting medical school with values comparable to the population average, only a few semesters later, medical undergraduates show increased rates of psychological risk states and some manifest mental illnesses, such as burnout and depression. In our survey we intentionally assessed mental health parameters from a salutogenetic, i.e. resource-oriented point of view.MethodsWe examined first-year medical students in a cross-sectional study and assessed sense of coherence (SOC) and resilience as parameters from the salutogenesis model by Antonovsky in a structured way using validated, self-administered questionnaires. In total, we examined 236 students of human medicine, dentistry and molecular medicine at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).ResultsOur analyses showed significantly higher values of resilience among male students compared to female students (p < 0.01). In contrast, even though a significant correlation between resilience and SOC was observed, only a non-significantly lower value of SOC was found in female students. Compared to the reference sample our medical students in their first year of study showed significantly lower values for resilience (p < 0.01) and SOC (p < 0.01).ConclusionResilience and SOC are known to correlate with psychological stress (burnout parameters) and depression. In order to keep protective factors like SOC and resilience in medical students at a good and healthy level we see the necessity to address that problem proactively and educationally. Integrating training focused on the preservation of the students´ own mental health into the medical curriculum from the beginning of university courses, and throughout the whole medical study course, is essential and should be an obligatory training goal. Based on our study results, we also deem it necessary to think about ways to adapt the measures for the gender-specific needs of our students, e.g. dependent on their biological gender.

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Socio-educational Impact and Psychological Distress of Medical Students amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Japanese Cross-Sectional Survey

10.1101/2020.10.22.20216572 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshito Nishimura ◽

Kanako Ochi ◽

Kazuki Tokumasu ◽

Mikako Obika ◽

Hideharu Hagiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Educational Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Before And After ◽

Subjective Mental Health ◽

Few Data

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, few data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. This study aimed to provide details on how medical students had been affected by the pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The questions included how their mental status had changed before and after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). 65.9% (473/717) participated in the study. 29.8% (141/473) reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education could have been ineffective compared with in-person learning. Participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (p <.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.19 – 3.28), as did those who requested food aid and mental health care resources (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16 – 3.44; OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07 – 6.15, respectively). Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend educators to inform learners that online learning is non-inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.

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