[Emotional distress in medical students in the context of university teaching on mental disorders].

Background: Numerous studies have shown a high incidence and increase in stress-related symptoms and depression-like complaints among students. During teaching on mental disorders at our medical faculty, students repeatedly reported emotionally stressful situations and expressed a desire for support services. The aim of the present study was to objectify the level of stress and the need for such support services.

Material and methods: A total of 118 students in the 9th semester (winter semester 2022/2023) were surveyed using a questionnaire on their emotional stress. The online questionnaire was conducted via LimeSurvey (LimeSurvey GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) and contained a total of 18 items formulated as statements as well as other items. The students rated the individual items on 11-point numerical scales with external anchor ratings.

Results: The respondents rated their own stress as increased compared to other modules, particularly for the subject of psychiatry (> 5 out of 10). Bedside teaching was estimated as being the most stressful, followed by seminars and lectures (all pairwise comparisons p < 0.001). The contents on depression predominantly caused the most stress. Approximately half of the students would like to be offered support services and most frequently a consultation session (78.0%) and defined contact persons (70.7%).

Conclusion: The emotional stress of students in the context of teaching on mental disorders is particularly high in psychiatry and higher with increasing patient contact; offers of support services are needed. Teachers should be sensitized to this and create offers such as open consultation sessions and the provision of defined contact persons.