The value of stress management programs for medical students: a systematic review

TL;DR

This systematic review explores how stress management programs can improve the mental health and academic performance of medical students.

Contribution

The study systematically evaluates the effectiveness of various stress management strategies tailored for medical students.

Findings

11%, 72.7%, and 16.3% of 2,334 medical students reported low, moderate, and high stress levels, respectively.

Stress management programs like MBSR and wellness workshops can foster resilience and better emotional handling in students.

Institutions can benefit by integrating mental health support and anxiety management into their curricula.

Abstract

Managing stress carries significant implications for the mental wellbeing, academic achievements, career advancement, and overall life satisfaction of medical students. However, the coping mechanisms for stress management are diverse. The current systematic review examines the proposals and consequences of stress management for students in medical education, acknowledging the array of challenges inherent to their academic journey.

A search was conducted from 2013 to 2023 (September) across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to retrieve articles on “Medical students,” “Coping mechanisms,” and “Stress management”. The English-language articles were the only ones considered in the study. The articles that discussed coping mechanisms, such as resilience training, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs, and/or wellness and self-care workshops, were included in the study. This review was not prospectively registered in PROSPERO; however, PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed throughout.

Nine articles were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among 2,334 medical students, 11%, 72.7%, and 16.3% reported low, moderate, and high stress levels, respectively. The selected nine articles aimed to address these far-reaching effects of stress management strategies. The stress management programs encompass creating robust mental health support systems within institutions, incorporating anxiety management education into regular coursework, offering workshops that teach practical techniques for handling emotional turmoil effectively, and fostering an environment where discussing one's challenges is encouraged rather than stigmatized. Such programs encourage students to seek expert guidance when needed, undertake systematic investigations to tailor interventions to changing needs and circumstances, and emphasize the importance of balancing work responsibilities, academic commitments, and personal life.

By implementing these suggestions within their framework, institutions can more effectively prepare their medical learners to overcome educational challenges and cultivate empathetic, resilient professionals skilled in delivering healthcare services.

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