scholarly journals Less Experienced but Healthier: Health Behaviors of Medical Students Compared With Practicing Physicians

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Wilf Miron ◽  
Ilya Kagan ◽  
Mor Saban

Abstract BackgroundWe examined health behaviors and perceptions among medical students and compared them with the results of a previous survey among residents and senior physicians. MethodsThis cross–sectional study was performed among second-year medical students (2015-2018) and among physicians (2015) using an online questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. ResultsSignificantly more physicians perceived their health as bad, compared with students. Half of the residents, compared with one-third of senior physicians and one-fifth of students, reported high emotional stress. Residents reported the worst, and students - the best, eating habits. Logistic regression models demonstrated that lower emotional stress, healthy eating habits, adequate sleep, lower body mass index and not having a regular physician, explained good perceived health. Female gender, being a resident, bad perceived health, unhealthy eating habits, less sleep and not having a regular physician, were correlated with high emotional stress. ConclusionsThe healthy lifestyle of medical students declines towards residency. Given the workload and emotional stress of their chosen profession, it is advised that medical school curriculum provide students with measures to help them gain more years of healthy life, allowing students and physicians to be better role models and the healthcare system to perform better.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Wilf-Miron ◽  
Ilya Kagan ◽  
Mor Saban

Abstract Background We examined health behaviors and perceptions among medical students and compared them with the results of a previous survey among residents and senior physicians. Methods This cross–sectional study was performed among second-year medical students (2015–2018) and among physicians (2015) using an online questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Significantly more physicians perceived their health as bad, compared with students. Half of the residents, compared with one-third of senior physicians and one-fifth of students, reported high emotional stress. Residents reported the worst, and students - the best, eating habits. Logistic regression models demonstrated that lower emotional stress, healthy eating habits, adequate sleep, lower body mass index and not having a regular physician, explained good perceived health. Female gender, being a resident, bad perceived health, unhealthy eating habits, less sleep and not having a regular physician, were correlated with high emotional stress. Conclusions The healthy lifestyle of medical students declines towards residency. Given the workload and emotional stress of their chosen profession, it is advised that medical school curriculum provide students with measures to help them to adopt healthier lifestyles, allowing students and physicians to be better role models and the healthcare system to perform better.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Saad Yahya ◽  
Ali Abdulridha Abutiheen ◽  
Amer Fadhil Al- Haidary

Abstract Background Burnout is prevalent among medical students. Throughout their training, medical students face many psychosocial stresses that, if not managed, might cause burnout syndrome. Burnout could negatively impact students’ life and their academic performance. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of burnout among medical students at the College of Medicine, University of Kerbala, and assess factors associated with it. An analytic cross-sectional study. A sample of 424 students from all academic years from the College of Medicine, University of Kerbala, was approached. Data collection was conducted from June 11 to July 3, 2020, through a self-administered online questionnaire based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Survey (MBI-SS). The MBI-SS included 15 questions with a 7-point rating ranging from 0 (never) to 6 (always). The tool measures three subscales: emotional exhaustion (5 questions), Cynicism (4 questions), and professional efficacy (6 questions). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 24 was used for data analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between burnout and students̓ variables, P value of a level < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of burnout syndrome among medical students was 38.2%. About 85.6% of students had high emotional exhaustion, 77.8% had high cynicism, and 32.5% exhibited low professional efficacy. Female gender, regular use of legal substances, and family history of mental diseases were associated with significantly high rates of burnout. Conclusions Burnout is prevalent among medical students of the University of Kerbala with quite high levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism and lower professional efficacy levels. Faculties of medicine need to consider burnout among their students and works to reduce unnecessary stresses by modifying and upgrading the educational and clinical environments.


Author(s):  
M. Amruth ◽  
Akshath Kumar

Background: Obesity and overweight is increasing nowadays among the medical students. Erratic eating habits and other lifestyle related risk factors are mainly implicated for this increasing burden, and research related to these risk factors is essential, considering their role as future physicians and role models in public health intervention programs. The present study was conducted to estimate the BMI values of medical students and to compare obesity among male and female students with their socio-demographic factors, eating habits and lifestyle.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in a medical college in Kerala during 1st May 2018 to 30th July 2018. A total of 573 students out of 600 participated in the study. Using a structured questionnaire data was collected. BMI was calculated for 483 medical students with age group of 20 years and above including 173 males and 310 females. SPSS version 17 was used for statistical analysis.Results: Using WHO BMI classification 18.2% were overweight and 2.1% were obese. Using Asia- Pacific BMI classification 18.2% were overweight and 20.3% were obese. Male students were more obese than females. Skipping breakfast, eating full stomach, not knowing balanced nutrition, eating fatty foods and snacks, eating more under stress and drinking soft drinks were common unhealthy eating habits among obese students.Conclusions: Obesity and overweight is very prevalent among medical students. Improving their knowledge regarding balanced nutrition, regular eating habits, proper stress management and adoption of healthy lifestyle will result in proper body weight and prevent obesity complications.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Ketelaar ◽  
Monique H.W. Frings-Dresen ◽  
Judith K. Sluiter

Abstract Background: A change of medical students’ health behavior over time may be related to a change in their opinion regarding the relationship between physicians’ own health behavior and effective healthy lifestyle counseling in patients. Objective: To investigate Dutch medical students’ (1) change of health behavior over time, (2) change of opinion over time regarding the relationship between a physician’s own health behavior and effective healthy lifestyle counseling in patients, and (3) the relationship between these aspects. Method: All medical students from two Dutch medical schools were invited to fill out an online questionnaire in 2010. Respondents of 2010 were invited for 2011. Health behavior was assessed with five aspects: drinking behavior, smoking, eating habits, sleeping behavior, and sexual behavior. Their opinion regarding the relationship between their own health behavior and effective healthy lifestyle counseling in patients was assessed with one statement. Results: At baseline, 2016 medical students (41%) participated, and at 1 year follow-up 1078 medical students (53%) participated. Fourteen percent adopted healthier behavior over time, and 12% adopted unhealthier behavior. Twelve percent positively changed their opinion, and 13% negatively changed their opinion. Participants who adopted unhealthier behavior were more inclined to also have negatively changed their opinion than participants who adopted healthier behavior (statistically nonsignificant difference, p=0.38). Conclusions: No significant relationship was found between a change in health behavior of Dutch medical students and a change of their opinion regarding the relationship between physicians’ own healthy lifestyle and their ability to effectively influence patients to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2279
Author(s):  
Federica Grant ◽  
Maria Luisa Scalvedi ◽  
Umberto Scognamiglio ◽  
Aida Turrini ◽  
Laura Rossi

To limit the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a nationwide lockdown started in Italy in March 2020. In this unpredictable situation, a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was carried out by the Observatory on Food Surplus, Recovery and Waste of CREA Food and Nutrition Centre. The aim of this work was to evaluate how Italian habits changed during this period, the determinants of changes, and the effect on food waste prevention. In a sample of 2678 respondents, 62% showed low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD). During lockdown many of participants improved the quality of their diet, increasing their consumption of fruit (24.4%), vegetables (28.5%), legumes (22.1%), nuts (12%), and fish or shellfish (14%). Unfavorable changes were observed with the excessive consumption of sweets or pastries (36.9%) and comfort foods (22.7%), and a lack of physical activity (37.2%). The main novelty of this study was the examination of dietary changes identified by a cluster analysis. Respondents with generally high AMD improved their eating habits, while the habits of the respondents with generally low AMD remained unchanged. In addition, nearly 80% of respondents were sensitive to food waste. The study provides a useful contribution to the debate on nutritional recommendations in case of further lockdown.


Author(s):  
Marium Aftab ◽  
Alsaleem Mohammed Abadi ◽  
Shamsun Nahar ◽  
Razia Aftab Ahmed ◽  
Syed Esam Mahmood ◽  
...  

Background: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are living within a milieu of stress, anxiety, and fear. Medical students are susceptible to these emotional injuries, but their psychological wellbeing and learning may further be assaulted by future uncertainties and altered teaching and training programs. Our objective was to find the extent of the psychological impact of the pandemic and the learning difficulties they are experiencing; Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 418 undergraduate and postgraduate medical students from all over the world. A questionnaire was uploaded in Google survey form. It included background characteristics, questions for psychiatric impact like PHQ-9, GAD-7, ZF-OCS, and questions for learning difficulties perceived in comparison to the pre-pandemic time. Results: Among participants, 34.9% of students were male and 65.1% female. Around 46.4% belonged to the WHO, Eastern Mediterranean region, 26.8% from South East Asia region, 17.5% from the region of America, 5.5% from the European region,2.2%from the Western Pacific region, and 1.7% from the African region. Symptoms due to psychiatric illness were noticed in 393 (93.1%); depression in 386 (92.3%), anxiety in 158 (37.8%), obsessive compulsion disorder in 225 (53.8%), and post-traumatic stress syndrome in 129 (39.9%). Female gender, geographical region, and history of previous psychiatric illness were significantly related to almost all the psychiatric illnesses. Regarding learning difficulty, 96% of students faced problems: trouble with memorizing in 54.0%, concentration problems in 67.0%, about 55.5% of students made more mistakes, while 44.5% noted an increase in reaction time for solving questions. In addition, 90% experienced greater difficulty in overall learning during the pandemic in comparison to the pre-pandemic time. Conclusion: Assault on psychological wellbeing, struggling to memorize, inattention and difficulty in concentration on studies, along with perceived overall trouble with learning, have emerged as collateral damage from the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to medical students.


Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian S Costa ◽  
Marina C Marins ◽  
Jocasta C Ansel ◽  
Carolina P Tavares ◽  
Fernanda T Queiroz ◽  
...  

Introduction: Medical students, susceptible to sleep disorders, have irregular sleep-awake cycle, with repercussions on the quality of life and reduced academic performance, often with greater incidence of psychiatric disorders, estimated at 15% to 25% during your academic training. Objective: To evaluate the sleep habits in students of medical school in a private college of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Method: This subset study is a part of an observational study with cross-sectional delineation, with data collected through the application of an anonymous questionnaire, where they were asked about the number (and modification) of hours they sleep daily, in addition to reports of “stress and anxiety”. These data collected formed the basis of an instrument for assessing the quality of life on the medical students of this College. Results: We analyzed data from 481 students: 82 (17%) at the first year, 118 (24.5%) at the second year, 99 (20.6%) at the third, 64 (13.3%) and 118 (24.5%) within the fifth and sixth years. The average age was 21.7 years (16-42) and 306 (63.6%) of female gender. As for the hours of sleep, 445 students (92.5%) report 5 to 8 hours of sleep, and 216 (44.9%) a minimum of 6 hours. In the sleep of the weekends, 394 (81.9%) reported change in the number of hours and, 313 (65.1%) referred to a reduction after the entrance into college. It was reported "some level of stress and anxiety,“ not related to the least number of hours sleepping (0.07). Comparing the data obtained among the 199 students of the first and second years (62.8% female-group A) to 117 at fifth and sixth years (70.9% female-group B), we observed similarity in relation to (1) number of 5 to 8 hours sleepping (A 92.9% x 90.5% B), (2) change the hours of sleepping on the weekends (A 81.9% x 79.5% B), and (3) reduction of sleepping hours after the entrance into College (A 81.9% x 78.6% B). With regard to the report of "stress and anxiety”, we observed statistically significant difference between the groups (A 100% x 88% B, p < 0.03). Conclusion: The change in lifestyle imposed on joining a new school learning model, generates anxiety and loss of sleep hours among students. The development of resilience and adaptation to change, both individual and institutional, may have been responsible to varying degrees of stress.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176
Author(s):  
Bushra Suhail ◽  
Ayesha Masood ◽  
Javaria Baig ◽  
Sara Mukhtar ◽  
Sarah Aftab ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: This study investigated medical and non-medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and preparedness regarding COVID-19 pandemic, to groom volunteers and future healthcare providers in a better way. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was completed from April to May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19. An online questionnaire was distributed using internet and social media (SM). The questionnaire was composed of several parts concerning to demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices. RESULTS: This study included 1851 students [1041(56.54% medical, 810(43.46%) non-medical students)]. Medical students had significantly better knowledge about the contagious nature, spread and treatment of coronavirus. Non-medical students showed more risky behavior compared to medical students (p = 0.005). The use of masks and the frequency of handwashing was better among medical students as compared to non-medical students (p< 0.001; p< 0.014, respectively). The odds ratio indicates that students of the age group 21-25 years (45%) and medical students (75%) were more likely to have a positive attitude. CONCLUSION: This study revealed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices towards COVID-19 among medical students. Still, a minority of participants from both groups revealed misconceptions and relatively poor conceptual knowledge regarding the disease.


Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110543
Author(s):  
Tareq Alyahya ◽  
Ossama Mohamed Zakaria ◽  
Faisal Ali Al Jabr ◽  
Saif Fahad Alshaikhmubarak ◽  
Abdulla Nidal ◽  
...  

Objectives: The wide variety of operations that a plastic surgeon can deal with creates confusion regarding its proper scope. This confusion was observed in primary physicians as well as medical students. Increasing the perception of medical students toward plastic surgery can aid in career decision-making and early referral patterns. The aim of this study is to gauge a holistic overview of how medical students and interns perceive the plastic and aesthetic surgical specialty in King Faisal University and to suggest a recommended plan. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed equally to male and female medical students and interns in a local medical institute. The questionnaire constituted three sections; the first included the biographical data. The second is concerned with the different case scenarios and specialties to be chosen. The third is concerned with the previous clinical exposures. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21. Between comparison, chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied. Normality tests were conducted using the Shapiro–Wilk’s test. Results: Two hundred ninety-two students and interns have participated and completed the questionnaire. There were 189 males and 103 females. Plastic surgery was most commonly chosen in the following case scenarios; burn of the hand (74%), broken nose (64.7%), and cosmetic nose reshaping (80.8%). However, plastic surgery was infrequently chosen (selected by <30% of students) in many areas of hands and peripheral neuropathies (severed finger extensor tendon (26.4%), fractured scaphoid (12.7%), carpal tunnel syndrome (14.4%), brachial plexus injury (16.1%)). The most common source of information was the social media, and the least one is meeting with doctors and professors. Conclusion: Medical students and interns lack a full view of plastic and reconstructive surgery, especially in hand and peripheral neuropathies. Improving the education of medical students and interns is recommended and needed.


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