Academic stress and coping strategies of forst year IIUM medical students

BACKGROUND: Medicine is generally perceived as very stressful course as compared to other courses. Previous studies have reported that pressure of a challenging academic curriculum is very stressful for first year medical students. High level of stress is a risk factor for a wide range of physical and mental health-related consequences. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of academic stress in first year medical students of the International Islamic University Malaysia (Academic session 2012/13) and to explore the most stressful time and coping strategies in these students. METHODOLOGY/STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out involving the first year medical students of IIUM in March, 2013, while they were in the third block of the academic programme. RESULTS: One-hundred and ten students (75.3 %) participated. About fifty percent (50.9%) reported high level of academic stress. Female medical students experienced more stress. The majority of students found that “near exam day” was a most stressful period for them. Praying was the most frequently used coping strategy. CONCLUSION: Reducing the psychological distress of medical students prior to examination may help them to perform better in the examination. Review of curriculum and exam schedules, extracurricular activities, proper mentor system and counselling service might reduce the academic stress. KEYWORDS: Academic stress, first year medical students, coping strategies, IIU