Abstrakt

Perceived stress levels in medical students

Pranjali Parikshit Muley* , Parikshit Ashok Muley , Amol Gaikwad , Hemlata Wasnik

Background: Stress is defined as the physiological and psychological state which could overburden an individual’s ability to appropriately respond to it. Medical professional has to deal with lots of stress especially the first year medical student. The reason behind high perceived stress are inordinate hours, sleep deprivation, excessive workload, helplessness, increased psychological pressure, mental tension, assignments, inadequate support from allied health professionals. The present study aimed to assess perceived stress among the medical students. Aim and Objectives: To assess the amount of perceived stress among the first year medical students Materials and Method: A cross-sectional online survey study was done on 293 medical students whose perceived stress were assessed using an online questionnaire. The stress test was done with the help globally acceptable Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) which has got 14 items. Results: In 293 medical students (151- boys and 142 girls), the mean perceived stress score was observed as 28.61. In boys the PSS score was found to be 28.41 and in girls it was 28.82. When the score were compared with the mean validated score the students were having moderate amount of stress (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study concluded that the medical students perceived the moderate level of stress which has affected the psychological well being of medical students. These findings emphasize the need for greater attention to the psychological well-being of doctors-in-training in our country.