Internet addiction and its impact on medical education in India: A meta-analysis

Background: In the recent past, Internet addiction has become a topic of concern, with studies reporting its association with various negative consequences, such as decreased academic performance, compromised mental health, impaired social functioning and reduced quality of life. Despite the growing concern about the impact of internet addiction on medical education in India, the existing literature on this topic is limited and lacks a comprehensive synthesis of evidence. Aims and Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to offer a significant understanding regarding the correlation between internet addiction and medical education. Materials and Methods: The present meta-analysis followed the guidelines by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) for conducting as well as, reporting the meta-analyses. Studies conducted in various regions of India were included and were published between 2010 and 2022. Results and Analysis: The pooled effect size for academic performance, as measured by exam scores was SMD -0.36 (95% CI: -0.52 to -0.21), indicated to have a significant detrimental effect of internet addiction on academic performance. For mental health indicators, the pooled effect size was found to be having a SMD 0.45 (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.69, P<0.001), indicating a significant positive association. Conclusion: Internet addiction is associated with various negative consequences, such as decreased academic performance, increased risk of mental health disorders, and impaired interpersonal relationships. The results also highlight the need for awareness, prevention, and intervention programs targeted at addressing internet addiction among the students in medical education.