Medical Student Mental Health and Wellness Pilot Study
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Junaid Yousuf
Proposal
This study hopes to examine by way of electronic survey sources of stress, impact on perceived performance, impact on intentions to quit, perceived support and needs amongst the future physicians (medical students) currently at a medical school in Southwestern Ontario. The goal is to address learners from multiple campuses to analyze global wellness. Each cohort can be studied independently or comparatively to identify potential differences within the various populations, i.e. first year vs third year medical students. The importance of addressing physician mental health and wellness as early as in medical school has been shown through previous research. A study by Dyrbye et. al. found higher rates of psychological distress (stress, depression, and anxiety) amongst medical students in the U.S. and Canada compared to the general population and age-matched individuals (Dyrbye et. al., 2006). This type of burnout can negatively impact emotional wellness, professionalism in the workplace, and adversely affect patient care (Shanafelt et. al., 2002). The results of this study can potentially identify and inform future strategies to prevent burnout and tailor coping strategies for undergraduate medical students.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Medical Student Mental Health and Wellness Pilot Study
This study hopes to examine by way of electronic survey sources of stress, impact on perceived performance, impact on intentions to quit, perceived support and needs amongst the future physicians (medical students) currently at a medical school in Southwestern Ontario. The goal is to address learners from multiple campuses to analyze global wellness. Each cohort can be studied independently or comparatively to identify potential differences within the various populations, i.e. first year vs third year medical students. The importance of addressing physician mental health and wellness as early as in medical school has been shown through previous research. A study by Dyrbye et. al. found higher rates of psychological distress (stress, depression, and anxiety) amongst medical students in the U.S. and Canada compared to the general population and age-matched individuals (Dyrbye et. al., 2006). This type of burnout can negatively impact emotional wellness, professionalism in the workplace, and adversely affect patient care (Shanafelt et. al., 2002). The results of this study can potentially identify and inform future strategies to prevent burnout and tailor coping strategies for undergraduate medical students.