Psychological Distress in Undergraduate Medical Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Sat Pal ◽  
Praveen Prashant ◽  
Ravi Rohilla
2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazma Sultana

This cross-sectional descriptive type of study was conducted to explore the level of stress and depression and to find out the various socio-demographic, academic factors which act as barriers to study among undergraduate medical students of Bangladesh. The study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College during the period of April 2009 to June 2009. The students of 1st year to 5th year were the study population. A total of 425 students participated in the study. After taking proper approval from the concerned authority adopting convenient sampling technique data were collected through a self administered questionnaire with validated Kessler 10 psychological distress scale. The study revealed that only (1%) respondents were free from any sorts of psychological stress. Over one third (34.6%) had mild stress, (39.8%) moderate stress and about one fourth (24.9%) was suffering from severe stress according to Kessler 10 Psychological distress scale. A significant proportion of male respondents (73%) had moderate to severe psychological distress compared to the female respondents (56%) p<0.001. A significant higher proportion (56%) of those experiencing study pressure had moderate to severe stress as well (p<0.001). Having political affiliation, higher proportion of students (66%) reported no or mild stress. It is researcher’s opinion that politically affiliated students usually maintain good relationship with their teachers’ which help them to pass or they influence their teachers’ to bring result in their favor or teachers’ favor them to keep their position undisturbed. Lower proportion (34%) reported to have moderate to severe stress. The differences between politically affiliated and not politically affiliated groups are statistically significant p<0.001.This study demonstrates that factors which are responsible for students’ stress and depression are not similar in all countries. Sources of stress of our students’ should be checked out for the betterment of our students. The study recommended that need for intervention like social and psychological support to improve the quality of life of medical students. Students’ advisors should be provided who will train students about stress management. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjme.v2i1.18130 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.2(1) 2011: 6-9


Author(s):  
Gaurav Kamboj ◽  
Nilika . ◽  
Sweta Bhartiya

Background: It is important to identify the prevalence and risk factors of psychological distress among medical students which not only affect their health but also the academic achievements at different points of time in their study period. In addition, the patient care is affected by psychological distress among physicians such as poor communication, diminished quality of care and medical errors have been found associated with physical stress.Methods: The present study was a descriptive type of cross-sectional study, which was conducted in a government medical college located in rural Haryana, India from June to July 2018 among 200 MBBS students after adopting inclusion and exclusion criteria. A pre-validated, pre-designed structured depression, anxiety and stress scale-21 items (DASS-21) (annexure 2) was used for obtaining information from the study subjects. The total score of the study subjects was computed and thereafter graded for levels of stress, anxiety and depression.Results: The response rate was 94.5%. The mean score for DASS 21 scale was found to be 16.13 (±11.27). Out of the total, 61.4% students are suffering from different levels of depression. About two-third of the study participants (69.8%) were suffering from different levels of anxiety. The prevalence of stress was about 46.6% in the study subjects.Conclusions: The study confirmed the general impression that there is considerable amount of stress, anxiety and depression in medical students.


Author(s):  
Emma Polle ◽  
Jane Gair

Background: Medical students are at high risk of depression, distress and burnout, which may adversely affect patient safety. There has been growing interest in mindfulness in medical education to improve medical student well-being. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a commonly used, standardized format for teaching mindfulness skills. Previous research has suggested that MBSR may be of particular benefit for medical students. This narrative review aims to further investigate the benefits of MBSR for undergraduate medical students. Methods: A search of the literature was performed using MedLine, Embase, ERIC, PSYCInfo, and CINAHL to identify relevant studies. A total of 102 papers were identified with this search. After review and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 papers were included in the study. Results: MBSR training for medical students was associated with increased measures of psychological well-being and self-compassion, as well as improvements in stress, psychological distress and mood. Evidence for effect on empathy was mixed, and the single paper measuring burnout showed no effect. Two studies identified qualitative themes which provided context for the quantitative results.  Conclusions: MBSR benefits medical student well-being and decreases medical student psychological distress and depression.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina A. Bramstedt ◽  
Ben Ierna ◽  
Victoria Woodcroft-Brown

Social media is a valuable tool in the practice of medicine, but it can also be an area of ‘treacherous waters’ for medical students. Those in their upper years of study are off-site and scattered broadly, undertaking clinical rotations; thus, in-house (university lecture) sessions are impractical. Nonetheless, during these clinical years students are generally high users of social media technology, putting them at risk of harm if they lack appropriate ethical awareness. We created a compulsory session in social media ethics (Doctoring and Social Media) offered in two online modes (narrated PowerPoint file or YouTube video) to fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate medical students. The novelty of our work was the use of SurveyMonkey® to deliver the file links, as well as to take attendance and deliver a post-session performance assessment. All 167 students completed the course and provided feedback. Overall, 73% Agreed or Strongly Agreed the course session would aid their professionalism skills and behaviours, and 95% supported delivery of the curriculum online. The most frequent areas of learning occurred in the following topics: email correspondence with patients, medical photography, and awareness of medical apps. SurveyMonkey® is a valuable and efficient tool for curriculum delivery, attendance taking, and assessment activities.


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