Reflections of Graduating Medical Students: A Photo-Elicitation Study

Abstract

Medical school is associated with increased mental health morbidity that can result in professional burnout. To explore the sources of stress and means of coping for medical students, the photo-elicitation method was utilized, with interviews being conducted. The commonly discussed stressors included the presence of academic stress, difficulty relating to peers outside of medicine, frustration, feelings of helplessness and under-preparedness, imposter syndrome, and competition. Coping themes included camaraderie, interpersonal relationships, and wellness activities such as diet and exercise. Medical students are exposed to unique stressors, and as a result, students develop coping strategies throughout their studies. Further research is needed to identify how to better support students.

Occupational Stress and Coping Strategies in Chinese Medical Research Graduate Students: An Investigation into the Origins of Stress and Recommendations for Effective Mitigation

“…The resilience against academic workload stress among students with prior work experience demonstrates that transferrable skills, such as time management and stress coping, can be valuable [22][23][24] . The inclusion of such skills training in the curriculum could help bolster stress management across the student bod y6,8 .…”

Tecnoestrés en el desgaste académico de estudiantes universitarios del Perú

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