Volume 25, Issue 113, July 2021

Approaches toward stress among International Medical University Students

Mohammad Arshad Ikram¹, Lim Wen Wei², Maryam Razali³, Vanessa YY Lee⁴, Sushmietha S Raj⁵, Lee Kun Ze⁶

¹Associate Professor, Orthopedic Department, International Medical University, Clinical Campus, Seremban, Malaysia
²Fifth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia
³Fifth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia
⁴Fifth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia
⁵Fifth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia
⁶Fifth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Background: Medical education is a highly demanding curriculum which faces long hours of studying. This study aims to identify the most employed coping mechanisms among International Medical Students (IMU) undergraduate medical students. This gives us information on the nature of the coping mechanism (active vs avoidant) and the need for social and psychological intervention, counselling programs, peer and mentor support. Methods: A cross sectional study involving 297 participants of International Medical University (IMU) undergraduate medical students was done. Brief Cope Questionnaire was used to determine the coping mechanisms to stress among IMU undergraduate students. We used a validated questionnaire and analyzed the final results using SPSS. Results: A total of 297 participants were included in the study. According to the results, the most popular coping mechanisms are emotional support (27%) (OR=0.0006, 95% CI=0.0000 to 0.0101, P < 0.0001), instrumental support (24%) (OR=0.0005, 95% CI=0.0000 to 0.0088, P < 0.0001), positive reframing (24%) (OR=0.0005, 95% CI=0.0000 to 0.0088, P < 0.0001) and acceptance (23%)(OR=0.0005, 95% CI = 0.0000 to 0.0087, P < 0.0001) whereas the least popular methods used are denial, substance use and behavioral disengagement. There is no correlation between age, semester and coping mechanisms. Conclusion: Students adopt active coping strategies rather than avoidance. Understanding and getting advice from third parties are crucial for medical students to manage their stress level. Therefore, university administration should take appropriate steps as needed based on the expectations and feedback from students.

Keywords: stress, medical students, coping mechanisms, coping methods, medical education

Medical Science, 2021, 25(113), 1502-1506

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