Online programs to strengthen mental health in medical students: a literature review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Ungar ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Schindler ◽  
Sabine Polujanski ◽  
Thomas Rotthoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
Prevention Approach

BACKGROUND Medical students are at an increasing risk of depression and burnout during their study period. This trend among future physicians is a cause for concern, given the great responsibility that the medical profession entails. Medical faculties therefore play a significant role in supporting medical students in maintaining their mental health. Especially in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, support services that allow greater flexibility in their use become particularly relevant. Online programs can be accessed from anywhere and any time and can be used individually in a safe or well-known setting. From a preventive perspective, individual characteristics that have been shown to be protective of mental health should be addressed in such programs. Before conceptualizing an online program, reviewing existing online programs for medical students is a first relevant step. OBJECTIVE This review provides an overview of the current online programs for medical students to strengthen their mental health by addressing individual characteristics believed to be protective of mental health and addressable in medical curricula. METHODS PubMed, ERIC, Cochrane, and Web of Science were used for a systematic literature search. The programs had to be offered digitally and address medical students. Preventive individual characteristics for mental health were included in the search to provide information on their role in the studies. Publications also should include information on the effectiveness of the respective programs. RESULTS The literature search yielded 592 articles; of them, only nine met the study criteria. The programs found included elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness training, or peer support. Regarding the mental health outcomes, two studies showed a significant reduction in perceived stress and one study indicated a reduced level of burnout. One program had significant immediate effects on mindfulness, empathy, and resilience; two studies indicated strengthening coping strategies. Two programs were qualitatively assessed as helpful. One study is still ongoing. CONCLUSIONS Only a few studies have assessed the effectiveness of online programs to strengthen medical students’ mental health. The programs found mostly addressed preventive individual characteristics but were not developed on the basis of a survey of medical students’ demands. Furthermore, they were provided as add-on programs; integration of such programs into the curriculum may highlight the relevance of mental health. For the development of future online programs, the concrete needs of the respective target group should be surveyed and taken into account. Based on this, suitable online programs can be developed in a targeted way to strengthen mental health by addressing preventive individual characteristics. This needs-based prevention approach can support health-promoting education of future physicians.

The Fight for Female Physicians in Imperial Germany

1982 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Albisetti
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
The United States ◽  
Female Physicians ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Imperial Germany ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
The Subject

In the struggle for increased educational and employment opportunities for women that took place in Europe and America during the second half of the nineteenth century, no profession was the subject of more controversy than medicine.1 Although the issues involved in this controversy were similar in most countries, the paths by which women eventually succeeded in entering the medical profession displayed an intriguing variety. In Britain and the United States, resistance from much of the medical establishment forced women to found independent medical schools for the training of female physicians. Women in France and Switzerland, in contrast, gained access to existing medical faculties in the 1860s; yet for many years very few French or Swiss women took advantage of the opportunities available. In both countries, Russian women generally comprised the largest number of female medical students during the period, especially in the years before 1873 and again between 1882 and 1897, when no courses were available to them inside Russia.

Burnout and neurotic symptoms among medical students

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S327-S328 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tereszko ◽  
K. Drozdowicz ◽  
M. Szymura ◽  
A. Tuleja ◽  
W. Korzeniowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Symptom Checklist ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Medical Studies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionMedical studies are considered one of the most stressful majors and the medical profession is one of the most at risk of burnout. Some studies indicate the presence of symptoms of burnout already in the early stages of career, or even before it started, i.e. during studies preparing for the profession. Medical studies may be such a case and it can affect the mental health deterioration and cause the occurrence of both burnout and neurotic symptoms.ObjectivesAssessment of the impact of the course of studies on mental health of students and the risk of rapid burnout.AimEstimation of the prevalence and severity of burnout and neurotic symptoms among medical student depending on the year of study.MethodsSeven hundred and eighty-one medical students participated in the study. We used translated version of Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and Polish questionnaire – Symptom checklist S-III – for neurotic symptoms assessment.ResultsThere was no significant difference in MBI-SS subscales and symptoms checklist between first and last year of studies. Difference turned out to be significant when 1st and 6th year students with 3rd year – in Symptom checklist (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), MBI-SS emotional exhaustion subscale (P < 0.01 for both) and depersonalization subscale (P < 0.01, significant only when compared with 1st year students).ConclusionsStudy revealed interesting pattern of burnout and neurotic symptoms, with theirs greatest severity at the beginning and the end of studies.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Burnout syndrom as a mental health problem among medical students

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-132 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program on Mental Health Status Among Medical Student in Palestine During COVID Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Hanani ◽  
Manal Badrasawi ◽  
Souzan Zidan ◽  
Marah Hunjul
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Post Intervention

Abstract Background: Mental illnesses are widely acknowledged among medical students, at the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on medical students. The main purpose of this study to (1) determine the prevalence of mental disorders among medical students and their associated factors, and (2) to examine the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy on mental health problems among medical students. Methods: Between March and May 2021, we conducted a randomized controlled study on two phases among medical students at An-Najah National University. Data were collected using an online questionnaire and the Arabic version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We also used the MEDAS tool to assess their Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence. In the second phase, sixty-six student were recruited and assigned randomly to control and intervention groups. Intervention impact was assessed using 12-item General Health Questionnaire at two time points; baseline, and 8 weeks post-intervention. The interventional model used was the cognitive behavioral therapy, and the control group received no treatment. Results: A total of 329 students were included in the analysis of the first phase of the study. Approximately 28% of students had mental health problems. We found a significant relationship between good mental health status with higher level of physical activity level, longer sleeping hours and shorter entertainment time (p< 0.05). In the second phase of the study, a total of 91 students were included. Overall, using CBT program showed a significant improvement in the outcome measures. At 8 weeks post-intervention, students had lower scores on total GHQ-12, depression and anxiety, and social dysfunction. Conclusion: These findings propose that adequate attention must be paid to the mental health of medical students, and that CBT program can be used for the management of mental health problems among medical students.

Comparative characteristics of educational stress and mental health of senior medicine students at different universities (results of an interregional study)

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-46
Author(s):  
Victoria Ruzhenkova ◽  
Irina Sheremet’eva ◽  
Viktor Ruzhenkov
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
The State ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
State University ◽  
The Future ◽  
Training Stress ◽  
Medical University

Stress negatively affects the mental health of students, causes anxiety and depression, leads to poor academic performance, lowers level of professional training and success in the future. The purpose of the research is to study the state of mental health of medical students to develop recommendations for the prevention of maladaptation. Materials and methods. 252 5-year students aged 20–29 (22 ± 1,1) years, 168 (66,7 %) females and 84 (33,3 %) males (137 students of Belgorod State University and 115 of Altay State Medical University (ASMU)) were examined by medico-sociological and psychometric methods. Results. It was established that every fifth student of the Belgorod State University and every third of the ASMU did not enter the medical university on their own initiative. Less than half (43 %) of Belgorod State University students and 30.4 % of the ASMU ones are convinced that the choice of profession was correct, 35 and 37.4 % are, consequently, completely disappointed with it. Students of Belgorod State University dealt with training stress factors poorer and, as a result, have more pronounced mental symptoms of training stress, difficulties in organizing the daily regimen, irregular nutrition, and fear of the future. Regardless of the region of studying, the number of students not committed to the medical profession, after 5 years of study, is more than 3 times higher among those who enter the university not on their own initiative. Students of the ASMU hit substances, skipped classes, played computer games and took sedative drugs more often to overcome academic stress. The degree of anxiety before the exams in students of Belgorod State University was higher (9 points) than in their peers from the State Medical University (7 points). An extremely high (8–10 points) level of anxiety before exams was characteristic of 75,9 and 44,3 % of students, respectively. The former were more likely to experience clinically significant panic attacks: 27,7 and 6,1 %. Conclusion. Given the high incidence of social phobia (19,1–24,1 %), depression (22,6–32,2 %) and anxiety (21,9– 27,8 %) among medical students, the development and implementation of psycho-correctional programs aimed at the formation of adaptive ways to overcome stress, reduce anxiety and depression is required. This will prevent the development of psychosomatic disorders and addictions.

Perceptions of Final Year Medical Students about Family Medicine as A Career Choice in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dur-e- Nishat
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Chi Square Test

Background: Family medicine is a field in which complete and detailed set of healthcare services are provided to the patients and their families. In developed countries, freshly graduated students choose family medicine as a priority for their career. However, in Pakistan it is not the case. The present study is undertaken to determine the perceptions of final year medical students’ about Family Medicine as a viable career. Methods: A total number of 504 students participated in the study. This was a cross-sectional study. The study participants were in their final year of medical college. Data was collected using a preapproved questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed via SPSS version 17 and Chi-Square test was used post-stratification. Results: Only 14.3% (n=72) medical students had heard about Family Medicine. Only 18% (n=92) would select family medicine as a profession. The most frequent rationale for choosing the field of Family Medicine was the variety of patients seen in general practice (55.4% n=51). Conclusion: There is a dire need to focus on increasing awareness about the field of family medicine among medical students. The students should be counseled on the advantages along with the disadvantages of choosing this field as a medical profession.

Philosophical and Cultural Aspects of Medical Profession: Philosophical and Conceptual Peculiarities

Cultura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-174
Author(s):  
Iryna MELNYCHUK ◽  
Nadiya FEDCHYSHYN ◽  
Oleg PYLYPYSHYN ◽  
Anatolii VYKHRUSHCH
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Cultural Proximity ◽  
Personal Qualities ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ecological Culture ◽  
High Level

The article analyzes the philosophical and cultural view of “doctor’s professional culture” as a result of centuries-old practice of human relations, which is characterized by constancy and passed from generation to generation. Medicine is a complex system in which an important role is played by: philosophical outlook of a doctor, philosophical culture, ecological culture, moral culture, aesthetic culture, artistic culture. We have found that within the system “doctor-patient” the degree of cultural proximity becomes a factor that influences the health or life of a patient. Thus, the following factors are important here: 1) communication that suppresses a sick person; 2) the balance of cultural and intellectual levels; 3) the cultural environment of a patient which has much more powerful impact on a patient than the medical one.At the present stage, the interdependence of professional and humanitarian training of future specialists is predominant, as a highly skilled specialist can not but become a subject of philosophizing. We outlined the sphere where the doctors present a genre variety of philosophizing (philosophical novels, apologies, dialogues, diaries, aphorisms, confessions, essays, etc.). This tradition represents the original variations in the formation of future doctor’s communicative competences, which are formed in the process of medical students’ professional training.A survey conducted among medical students made it possible to establish their professional values, which are indicators of the formation of philosophical and culturological competence. It was found out that 92% of respondents believed that a doctor should demonstrate a high level of health culture (avoid drinking and smoking habits, etc.)99% of respondents favoured a high level of personal qualities of a doctor which would allow methods and forms of medical practice to assert higher human ideals of truth, goodness and beauty that are the subject area of cultural studies and philosophy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document