The phenomenon of burnout among medical students - literature review

Introduction: Burnout is characterised by a triad of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and a decreased sense of accomplishment. Distress during medical school can lead to burnout, with significant consequences, particularly if burnout continues into residency and beyond. There is a lot of research into burnout and the authors reviewed literature pertaining to medical student burnout, its prevalence, and its relationship to personal, environmental, demographic and psychiatric factors.The aim of the study: Paying attention to the correlation between academic lifestyle and occurrence burnout among medical students.Material and method: The research was done by the usage of the PubMed and Google Scholar articles about the topic of: burnout; stress; medical students; behaviour.Description of the state of knowledge: The educational process brings a considerable amount of stress to medical students that can influence mental health status and contribute to further professional burnout. According to various studies and definitions of occupational burnout, this phenomenon is observed in up to 76% of medical students. Research has identified associations between burnout and lifestyle health behaviours. Also relationship between the occurrence of burnout and suicide attempts has been demonstrated. In turn spirituality has been positively influence well-being and to prevent burnout.Summary: Undoubtedly, it is worth paying attention to the phenomenon of occupational burnout among students from the first years of medical studies. Universities should make efforts to reduce the risk of the occurrence and further development of burnout, which may have negative effects in the future work with the patient.

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Burnout and Well-Being Levels of Medical Students: a Cross-Sectional Study

Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica ◽

10.1590/1981-5271v44.4-20190138.ing ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Priscila Gadelha Cazolari ◽

Matheus de Sousa Cavalcante ◽

Marcelo Marcos Piva Demarzo ◽

Frederico Molina Cohrs ◽

Adriana Sanudo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Medical Students ◽

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Well Being ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Physical And Mental Health

Abstract: Introduction: The presence of chronic stress, caused by the activities and demands of the medical course, can lead to what is called ‘burnout’, a syndrome characterized by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, dehumanization (or depersonalization) and reduced professional achievement. Considering the increased incidence of burnout syndrome, anxiety and depression symptoms, suicide attempts and suicide rates among medical students, as a consequence of increasing demands for professional and financial success at the expense of physical and mental health, one understands the importance of studying the subject and proposing measures of prevention and control. The aim of this study was to evaluate and describe the levels of burnout and well-being of medical students at a Brazilian public university. Method: The stress and well-being levels of students from the first to the sixth year for the Medical Course at Universidade Federal de São Paulo were evaluated using MBI-SS and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires, applied online on the REDCAP platform. Results: A total of 302 students completed the questionnaires. Regarding the MBI-SS, students showed a low value in the emotional exhaustion factor and high levels of professional disbelief and effectiveness, indicating a burnout that ranged from low to moderate. It was also observed that female students showed a greater tendency toward emotional exhaustion when compared to male ones, as well as the fact that students from the 1st and 2nd years showed higher values of professional effectiveness when compared with 3rd and 4th years, with no difference between genders. Based on the answers from WHOQUOL-BREF questionnaire, the students thought they had a good quality of life. Discussion: These results reinforce possible factors that might interfere with the students’ quality of life: excessive workload, teaching model based on extensive lectures, lack of stimulation, recognition for their efforts. Conclusion: The medical students evaluated in this study have a good quality of life and show low or moderate burnout levels.

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The well-being of medical students: A biopsychosocial approach

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867420924086 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (10) ◽

pp. 997-1006

Author(s):

Ute Vollmer-Conna ◽

Jessica E Beilharz ◽

Erin Cvejic ◽

Claire L Macnamara ◽

Michelle Doherty ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Medical Students ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Well Being ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Biopsychosocial Approach ◽

Reactive Protein

Objective: Mental health problems among medical students have been widely reported, but the predisposing and perpetuating factors and biological concomitants are poorly understood. Adopting a biopsychosocial approach, we studied well-being in a group of Australian medical students, focusing on sleep, autonomic and immune mechanisms, as well as mental, social and physical well-being, health-related behaviours, and daily functioning. Methods: Fourth-year medical students ( N = 151) completed comprehensive assessments, including laboratory-based and nocturnal autonomic monitoring via ambulatory bioharness, a psychiatric diagnostic interview, and questionnaires assessing sleep quality and psychosocial and physical well-being. A blood sample was taken to quantify the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Sleep, mood and activity was additionally monitored daily for 7 days. Results: A sizable minority of students reported diminished physical, mental and psychosocial well-being. We also found concerning levels of sleep disturbance and social and occupational impairment in a subset of students. The strong co-occurrence of problems across symptom domains supported a biopsychosocial interdependence of health and well-being states. Maladaptive coping behaviours were apparent, notably hazardous alcohol consumption, which was associated with a clinically significant elevation in C-reactive protein levels (> 3 mg/L). We documented, for the first time, significantly diminished nocturnal heart rate variability in medical students with a mental health diagnosis. Nocturnal heart rate variability was strongly associated with sleep quality, daytime autonomic stress reactivity, as well as occupational and social functioning. Conclusion: Well-being is a multifaceted phenomenon firmly interlinked with sleep, autonomic and immune function, health behaviours and functional outcomes. Our novel findings supported a key role for nocturnal autonomic function in promoting sleep quality and mental well-being. Interventions could focus on sleep hygiene and health behaviours as a buffer for well-being and teach more adaptive strategies for coping with the stresses of medical training.

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Worried, weary and worn out: mixed-method study of stress and well-being in final-year medical students

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040245 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e040245

Author(s):

Abbie Lane ◽

Jack McGrath ◽

Eimear Cleary ◽

Allys Guerandel ◽

Kevin M Malone

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Well Being ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale ◽

College Support ◽

Future Work

ObjectiveAlthough there is much focus on burnout and psychological distress among doctors, studies about stress and well-being in medical students are limited but could inform early intervention and prevention strategies.DesignThe primary aim of this mixed-method, cross-sectional survey was to compare objective and subjective levels of stress in final-year medical students (2017) and to explore their perspectives on the factors they considered relevant to their well-being.SettingUniversity College Dublin, the largest university in Ireland.Participants161 of 235 medical students participated in this study (response rate 69%).Results65.2% of students scored over accepted norms for the Perceived Stress Scale (34.8% low, 55.9% moderate and 9.3% high). 35% scored low, 28.7% moderate and 36.3% high on the Subjective Stress Scale. Thematic analysis identified worry about exams, relationships, concern about the future, work–life balance and finance; one in three students reported worry, irritability and hostility; many felt worn out. Cognitive impacts included overthinking, poor concentration, sense of failure, hopelessness and procrastination. Almost a third reported sleep and appetite disturbance, fatigue and weariness. A quarter reported a ‘positive reaction’ to stress. Positive strategies to manage stress included connection and talking, exercise, non-study activity and meditation. Unhelpful strategies included isolation and substance use. No student reported using the college support services or sought professional help.ConclusionMedical students experience high levels of psychological distress, similar to their more senior doctor colleagues. They are disinclined to avail of traditional college help services. Toxic effects of stress may impact their cognition, learning, engagement and empathy and may increase patient risk and adverse outcomes. The focus of well-being in doctors should be extended upstream and embedded in the curriculum where it could prevent future burnout, improve retention to the profession and deliver better outcomes for patients.

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Association of ADHD symptoms, depression and suicidal behaviors with anxiety in Chinese medical college students

10.21203/rs.2.15983/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yanmei Shen ◽

Yaru Zhang ◽

Bella Siu Man Chan ◽

Fanchao Meng ◽

Tingyu Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Medical Students ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Mainland China ◽

Well Being ◽

Physical Disorder ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Suicidal Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College

Abstract Background Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and imposes a great burden on both individuals and societies. Previous studies indicate a high comorbidity of anxiety disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, few studies have examined the comorbidity of anxiety and ADHD among medical college students in mainland China. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of anxiety and the associated risk factor of anxiety disorder as well as to explore the association between ADHD symptoms, depression, suicidal behaviors and anxiety.Methods A cross-sectional design was employed among 4882 medical college students who were recruited and enrolled with convenience sampling. Self-reported demographic information and clinical characteristics were collected online on a computer or through a social media app named Wechat. Results: The prevalence of anxiety in this study was 19.9%. Students with anxiety were more likely to have a poor relationship with parents, be of Han nationality, have smoking or drinking habits, have an extensive physical disorder history and have engaged in suicidal behaviors. The independent risk factors for anxiety were: smoking, physical disorder history, suicidal ideations, suicide attempts, inattention and hyperactivity. Significant associations were observed between anxiety and depression, inattention, hyperactivity, suicide plans and suicide attempts. Limitations: The participants were mainly females.Conclusions Nearly 1 in five medical students suffered from anxiety. The findings of this study indicate the importance of addressing both anxiety and ADHD symptoms in order to better promote mental health and the well-being of medical students as well as reduce suicidal behaviors.

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Níveis de Burnout e Bem-Estar de Estudantes de Medicina: um Estudo Transversal

Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica ◽

10.1590/1981-5271v44.4-20190138 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Priscila Gadelha Cazolari ◽

Matheus de Sousa Cavalcante ◽

Marcelo Marcos Piva Demarzo ◽

Frederico Molina Cohrs ◽

Adriana Sanudo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Medical Students ◽

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Well Being ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Physical And Mental Health

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Model Pengembangan Well Being Pada Peserta Didik

Journal An-Nafs Kajian Penelitian Psikologi ◽

10.33367/psi.v2i1.347 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 111-126

Author(s):

Otih Jembarwati

Keyword(s):

Regression Model ◽

Emotional Expression ◽

Regression Coefficient ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Future Orientation ◽

Well Being ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Emotional Wellbeing ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Further Development

The study was conducted on SMA Gita Bahari Semarang analysis from the results of a series of training programs of devotion that researchers do in SMA Gita Bahari. Research subjects consisted of 30 students of class X, amounting to 20 people per class. From the research results obtained Regression Model as follows: -2A-3,65B + 0,49C + 0,514D = Y, with regression coefficient 0,57, strength prediction model 32,5%. The results show the negative effects of emotional expression and resilience on emotional well-being, while future orientation and teacher type improve emotional well-being. Inferior emotional expression instrumental with low scores as well as cultural factors in interpretation Resilience expression becomes the basis of the regression model. Teacher Type and Future Orientation become important for further development considering its positive impact on emotional well-being. Further ediamonic studies on emotional well-being, training, and application of Teacher Type Understanding, and a more intensive Future Orientation are expected to improve Emotional Wellbeing among learners. More number of Subjects is needed to make the conclusions more generalizable to the wider population.

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Medical Students’ Reactive Anxiety as a Quality Criterion for Distance Learning during the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic

Emerging Science Journal ◽

10.28991/esj-2021-sper-07 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 86-93

Author(s):

Maria V. Sankova ◽

Olesya V. Kytko ◽

Yuriy L. Vasil'ev ◽

Olga Yu. Aleshkina ◽

Ekaterina Yu. Diachkova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Distance Learning ◽

Medical Students ◽

Well Being ◽

The State ◽

Educational Process ◽

Anxiety Level ◽

Psychological Status ◽

Average Score ◽

Reactive Anxiety

Background: Numerous studies have shown an effect of rapidly spreading SARS-COV-2 on combined anxiety-depressive disorders and maladjustment syndrome occurrences. Objective: To determine the primary medical students’ reactive anxiety level and the final scores of their educational progress in distance learning during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study involved 824 students at medical universities in Saratov and Moscow. The assessment of the reactive anxiety level was carried out according to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI; the average score of students' academic performance was calculated according to the data of the technological platform "1C: Enterprise" version 8.4.1. The survey was completed during distance learning in May 2020. The quality of distance learning was compared to a similar score for 2019, when students were trained in a traditional way. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica 6.0. Results: It was shown the presence of moderately severe disorders among the primary medical students according to the average score of reactive anxiety (43.28 ± 12.85), that expressed more in females s (p<0.05), After distance learning, lasting 25% of the whole course, the overall performance score in theoretical knowledge did not change significantly (p>0.05) but the practical skills suffered much especially in time trend (p<0.05). Novelty: It was found that a high level of the reactive anxiety negatively affects the students' adaptive capabilities and the education quality. The specificity of programs at different faculties can determine the state of the students' psychological status. Findings:Timely transition to online classes during pandemics helps to preserve the students' mental well-being and the quality of the educational process. The duration of distance learning for a practical course should not exceed 25% of the whole course. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-SPER-07 Full Text: PDF

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SMOKING PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS OF THE DETRIMENT OF TOBACCO SMOKING AMONG STUDENTS IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Hygiene and Sanitation ◽

10.18821/0016-9900-2019-98-3-294-300 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 294-300

Author(s):

N. I. Prokhorov ◽

Ekaterina A. Shashina ◽

L. N. Semenovykh ◽

V. V. Makarova ◽

E. E. Kozeeva

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Smoking Prevalence ◽

Educational Process ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Future Health ◽

Smoking Intensity ◽

Stop Smoking ◽

High Level ◽

Medical University

Introduction. A high level of tobacco use among medical workers is registered in Russia. The adherence to this bad habit can undermine the medical professionals’ authority and reduce the effectiveness of the preventive work with the population. The goal of this research was to determine the smoking prevalence among medical students, their level of awareness of health risks, and attitudes of smokers to this bad habit. Material and methods. The survey concerning the prevalence and attitudes towards smoking was conducted among the students of the medical faculty of the Sechenov University. Students were asked about biographical data, health status at the time of the survey, attitudes towards healthy lifestyles and smoking, the respondents’ awareness of the detriment of tobacco smoking, attitudes to the anti-smoking campaign. A separate block of questions was addressed to smokers (smoking experience, smoking intensity, reasons for initiation). Results. Of the 531 respondents, 18.0% were smokers at the time of the survey, 9.4% were former smokers, 72.5% never smoked. 59.6% of smokers had low smoking intensity. 3.2% of smokers had high smoking intensity. Smoking experience in both sex groups averaged 4.56 years. The main reasons for students’ initiation to smoking were curiosity (27.8%), the influence of the closest active smoking environment (21.5%), as well as existing problems in the family and the educational process (16.7%). Most of the students were informed about the negative effects of smoking and 82.7% of current smokers planned to give up smoking. 94% of smokers believed they to need professional help to stop smoking. Discussion. The prevalence of smoking among students at Sechenov University is comparable to the data of the Global Survey of Medical Students. Conclusions. Smoking is still common among medical students. The training of future health care workers in knowledge and skills to stop smoking should be carried out within an additional curriculum in a medical university.

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Mental Distress Among Medical Students

10.5772/intechopen.91864 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Syeda Rubaba Azim

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Extracurricular Activities ◽

Mental Distress ◽

Well Being ◽

Support Service ◽

Negative Effects ◽

The World ◽

Medical Undergraduates ◽

Student Support Service

Depression, anxiety, and stress affect the mental health of an individual. Previous studies have shown high rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students throughout the world. Medical students are future doctors, but mental distress among them has negative effects on their output, which ultimately affects patient care and quality of life. This chapter will discuss various reasons of mental distress among medical students and proposed solutions for the well-being of medical undergraduates like providing proper student support service and more opportunities for extracurricular activities.

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Burnout syndrom as a mental health problem among medical students

Medicinski pregled ◽

10.2298/mpns1204129b ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 65 (3-4) ◽

pp. 129-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dusan Backovic ◽

Marija Jevtic

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Well Being ◽

Educational Process ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

International Studies ◽

Prevention Methods

Introduction. Mental health problems of adolescents are among the prevailing problems of public health. While studying for their future medical profession, the students of medicine have to exchange emotions with the patients intensively, and the empathic relationship itself bears a risk of eventual ?emotional depletion?, which leads to ?professional lack of emotions?. The study was aimed at presenting burnout syndrome as a challenge for mental health of medical students, its importance for the future professional engagement of doctors and the possibilities of its prevention. Methods. The authors of this paper review and analyze data and conclusions of previous national and international studies from this field and suggest possibilities of overcoming the condition of burnout. Results. The frequency of burnout syndrome, which is the synonym for the above mentioned condition of emotional exhaustion, is twice as high in medical professionals, particularly young ones, as in other professions on average. Burnout syndrome is nowadays regarded as a psychological distress experienced during the educational process and it has been observed in as many as 50% of medical students. The most significant factors independently associated with student burnout are: personality traits, stressful personal life events and learning and training conditions at their faculties. Conclusions. It is of utmost importance to understand the causes and consequences of psychological distress in students, and the faculties should not only identify these problems, but also endeavor to promote health by developing strategies for improving personal well-being, which are important for future doctors to achieve professional success and develop resistance to stress.

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