Stress and coping skills in medical students.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to confirm the degree of stress perceived by medical students in Korea and to study the difference between the methods used to relieve stress. In addition, this study evaluates the stress relief methods medical students believe are effective.

Methods: The subjects of the study were 147 students of a medical school in Korea who voluntarily participated in an online survey. The degree of stress perceived by medical students in Korea was confirmed, and the differences between the methods used to relieve stress were analyzed, along with the effective stress relief methods considered by the students themselves.

Results: There was no difference found in the degree of stress experienced by medical students based on their year in school and gender. The most commonly reported method to relieve stress was sleep, and it was found that this method provided the highest degree of stress relief.

Conclusion: As stress has been consistently reported as an issue among medical students, tackling stress among medical students should not be handled solely at the individual level.