PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS IN STUDENTS OF MEDICINE IN A HIGH ACADEMIC DEMAND PROGRAM

Castañeda A., Hernández M., Pinzón-Estrada E., López-Cabrera M*. Unit of educational programs for enforcement of the medical studies, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 04510, Mexico City, MEXICO

Purpose

The School of Medicine of National University of Mexico has established programs to strengthen its curriculum and increase the terminal efficiency. Stress in medical students is inevitable because of the difficulty of adjusting in their different academic scenarios and their particularly coping styles. The objective of this study was to know patterns for distress of the students in the High Academic Demand Program.

Method

We applied the Psychosocial Stress Questionnaire (PSSC) that consists in four subscales assessed: a) academic, b) health, c) psychosocial, and d) external; all were asked in frequency and severity of stress. Coping items identify skills used to management and deal with stress and also assessed depression symptoms. PSSC were applied to first and second year students and were analyzed.

Results

The results show low frequency but high severity in stressors related with coursework, school performance, lack of mentoring, family difficulties, lack of time for recreation and grief or bereavement. Coping skills more used were intellectualize, play, humor, sporting activities, watch TV or movies, talk with friends and family, read for pleasure, listen or perform music, focus on academics and think in positive outcomes.

Conclusion

This results permit develop strategies that promote cultural, sporting and recreation activities that helps in the management of stress but the faculty must consider time and schedules in order to be effective to the students because one of their stressors are the lack of time for recreation. These strategies will help in mental health of the students and decrease acuity of psychiatry services.