Stress in first year medical students.

Abstract

Background: Stress in medical students is not uncommon and is process orientated. Although minimal amount of stress is desirable and is necessary to spark in a healthy competitive spirit, the undue stress has undesirable impact on students. Objective: The present study was designed with an aim to evaluate different stress factors among the first MBBS students. Method: The participants were asked to complete a pre-tested and pre-designed questionnaire that included a list of sources of stress. Results: The most common stress factor reported by participants were high parental expectations (80.9%), vast syllabus (73%), worry about future (71.3%), long duration of course (67.3%), frequency of examinations (66.7%), performance in formative and summative examination (66%), low self esteem (62.3%), lack of sleep (54%) and lack of emotional and social support (38%). Conclusion: The life of medical student is stressful. Our study highlights the need for interventions in to cope up stress in medical education. Student counselling and informal mentorship is need of hour.