Association of academic stress with sleeping difficulties in medical students of a Pakistani medical school: a cross sectional survey

Background Psychological stress is common in medical school and associated with depression. Medical education is grooming in Nepal, but only few studies are done concerning mental health of medical students. Objective To assess the prevalence of depression among medical students at different levels of education and find about their stressors. Methods A cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among the undergraduate medical students of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal. 50 students each from Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) first and third year were enrolled in the study conducted between November 2008 to January2009. The depression levels were assessed using Zung depression scale. Students were asked to complete the questionnaire and then the depression levels calculated .The stress inducing factors during their course of medical education were also assessed. Results The overall prevalence of depression among the students was 29.78 percent. The prevalence of depression in first and third year was 36.74and 22.22 percent respectively. The prevalence of depression was 32.43 percent among female students versus 28.07 percent in male students. Both first and third year students gave high ratings to academic stress and hectic lifestyle as the main stress inducing factors. Conclusion The prevalence of depression is seen especially in the first year medical students. So, attempts should be made to alleviate the stressors right from the time they join medical school. Since academic stress proved to be one of the major factors, measures to make the academic curriculum more student-friendly are suggested. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | VOL.10 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 39 | JUL- SEP 2012 | Page 56-59 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8021

Download Full-text

A Response to “Assessment of Student Perspectives on Improving Wellness in Medical School: Qualitative Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Students in Florida” [Letter]

Advances in Medical Education and Practice ◽

10.2147/amep.s343765 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Volume 12 ◽

pp. 1229-1230

Author(s):

Aanchal Gupta ◽

Roshan Jonash Raymond

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Student Perspectives ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

What do medical students know about e-cigarettes? A cross-sectional survey from one U.S. medical school

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-018-1134-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Katie Hinderaker ◽

David V. Power ◽

Sharon Allen ◽

Ellen Parker ◽

Kolawole Okuyemi

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

Assessment of Student Perspectives on Improving Wellness in Medical School: Qualitative Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Students in Florida

Advances in Medical Education and Practice ◽

10.2147/amep.s323332 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Volume 12 ◽

pp. 1067-1079

Author(s):

Monica R Butcher ◽

Kathryn M Thompson ◽

Michelle K Williams ◽

Brian K Cooke ◽

Lisa J Merlo

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Student Perspectives ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among medical students: a cross-sectional survey in Turin

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.556 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

G Lo Moro ◽

F Bert ◽

E Olivero ◽

P Rossello ◽

A Corradi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Medical Students ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

School Choice ◽

Medical School ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Future Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significance Level ◽

For Profit

Abstract Background A high prevalence of mental illnesseshave been detected in medical students (MS) during college. The aim of this study was to evaluate depressive symptoms (DS) and suicidal ideation (SI) in MS and estimate factors that can influence these conditions. Methods In November 2018 a cross-sectional survey was conducted at the School of Medicine of Turin, Italy. The questionnaire consisted of a 30-item sociodemographic part and 3 psychometric tests, including the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Overall, 506 surveys were collected. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed mainly. The significance level was p ≤ 0.05. Results Females were 65% and median age was 22 (IQR 19-24). Median BDI-II score was 9 (IQR 4-15). Presence of DS (BDI-II score>13) and of SI was found in 29% and 15% of the sample, respectively. Preliminary results showed that females (OR 2.03, CI: 1.16-3.56), non-heterosexuals (OR 2.69, CI: 1.49-4-84), participants negative about their college choice (OR 4.79, CI: 2.78-8.26) had a higher risk to report DS. MS who consider unsatisfying their friendships with classmates had a higher likelihood of reporting DS and SI (OR 3.10, CI: 1.16-8.30; OR 2.91, CI: 1.10-7.68, respectively). While the opposite was for those with good economic condition (OR 0.39, CI: 0.16-0.91; OR 0.21, CI: 0.09-0.52, respectively) and those practicing sports more than 90 min/week (OR 0.60, CI: 0.37-0.99; OR 0.47, CI: 0.25-0.89, respectively). Choosing Medicine for profit was related to a higher risk of reporting SI (OR 3.36, CI: 1.43-7.92), having a good family bond to a lower risk instead (OR 0.42, CI: 0.20-0.84). Conclusions Since depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, it has to be a public health priority in Europe. It is essential to consider MS as at risk and set up interventions to improve factors surrounding them and help them to face difficulties in personal and academic life, without forgetting that they will be the future health professionals. Key messages Females, non-heterosexuals, students negative about Medical School choice and students unsatisfied with their friendships with classmates had a higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms. Students unsatisfied with their friendships with classmates and students who chose Medical School for profit had a higher risk of reporting suicidal ideation.

Download Full-text

Motivating Factors of and Perceived Barriers to Research at a Canadian Medical University with Regional Campuses: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Journal of Regional Medical Campuses ◽

10.24926/jrmc.v4i3.3934 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Leigh ◽

Maroof Khalid ◽

Jennifer Tsang

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Research Training ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Research Project ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Regional Campuses

Introduction Research training programs are an integral part of a well-rounded medical education. These programs help students contribute to medical knowledge, develop skills in critical evaluation and research dissemination, and they facilitate the training of our future medical researchers. Existing literature suggests barriers including lack of available time and access to projects may hinder a medical student’s research training. These barriers likely differ based on the medical school curriculum, and there exists limited data looking at these attitudes in Canadian students, students outside large academic centers or those in condensed programs. Given this, our study aims to further explore medical students' perceptions, perceived barriers of research in a three-year Canadian undergraduate medical school with regional campuses. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of medical students (classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021) representing the main and regional campuses of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in Ontario, Canada to explore their attitudes towards research. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participant demographics, research background and attitudes towards research. Results Overall, 70.4% of students identified as being involved in a research project at some point during their medical school tenure. Motivating factors for research participation included the goal of obtaining a residency spot (63.0%), and interest in their research topic (74.7%). Barriers to research included perceived lack of available time (31.5%), and difficulty in finding a research project (44.5%). Perceived curriculum deficiencies included lack of education in research methodology and appraisal of scientific literature (93.2% and 89.0%, respectively). Lastly, regional campuses tended conduct their research outside of their home campus (43.6% vs 3.3%, p<0.0001). Conclusion The findings from our study highlighted the students’ attitudes towards research in a Canadian medical school that has multiple campuses and a shortened medical curriculum (3-year). It identifies potential areas of improvement from a student perspective, which can hopefully be utilized by medical educators to continue the improvement of medical trainee research training.

Download Full-text