Study of Psychological Wellbeing of Medical Students at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background

Medical students undergo tremendous stress during different stages of the MBBS course which is known to have a negative effect on their cognitive function and adversely affects their mental health also. This study was embarked upon to assess the psychological wellbeing of medical students by estimating the level of anxiety, factors leading to depression and various stress factors that a medical student has to encounter in college life.

Material and Methods

This was a cross sectional Descriptive survey research. A total of 177 medical students were recruited via random sampling technique. The instrument was a carefully drafted online form comprising of two standardized questionnaires (PHQ-9 and Spielberger's anxiety scale) and a section with questions which attempt to find different stressors that may influence a medical student’s mind.

Results

Out of 177 responders, 27.68% showed a moderate depression out of which 23(46.93%) were males and 26(53.07%) female students. Maximum students showing moderate depression belonged to first year MBBS (53.06%) followed by second year students (36.73%). No correlation was observed between students from Hindi medium schools and depression/anxiety. Top 3 reasons that according to students cause stress are studies friends and financial problems. Students reported to be using sports, majority playing games like badminton (122;68.9%), cricket (56;31.6%) and basketball (37;20.9%). Students also preferred to be involved in activities like listening to music (148; 83.6%), reading (94; 53.1%), dancing (68;38.4%), art and singing. Many reported that yoga (20;11.3%) and meditation (30;16.9) helped them to cope with stress.

Conclusion

This study has identified different stressors affecting the psychological wellbeing of medical students in rural medical college and also probed into finding ways adopted by students to help them cope with stress.