Medical student syndrome: fact or fiction? A cross-sectional study

Evaluation of Internet Addiction and Relational Variables Among Nursing Students in Turkey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

It is known that individuals use the internet more to escape from the psychological problems they encounter in daily life during the pandemic. Besides, it is also known that individuals with personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion might be prone to internet addiction due to poor communication skills. It is important to determine the relationship between the internet usage characteristics and the mental state of nursing students so that students can provide better quality health services in their education and professional processes. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between internet addiction and personality traits, stress, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms among nursing students during the pandemic. This study includes 528 nursing students. The Young's Internet Addiction Test (YIAT), the Vancouver Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used for data collection between August and October 2021. It was found that there was a statistically significant and positive correlation between the students' YIAT mean scores and the EPI neuroticism sub-dimension, VOCI all sub-dimensions, and PSS mean scores (p < .05). In addition, the mean scores of the PSS and EPI were predictors of the YIAT total score (R = .550, R2 = .233, p < .05). Considering these results, it is necessary to prevent the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial health of individuals. Psychological counseling can be offered to provide protective factors during the pandemic period.

Illness Anxiety Disorder and Distress among Female Medical and Nursing Students

Objective

This study aims to compare the prevalence of illness anxiety disorder (IAD) and distress between medical and nursing students and examine their associations with students' characteristics.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI, for measuring IAD) and the Medical Students' Disease (MSD) Perception and Distress Scales.

Results

Two hundred and sixteen Medical students and 250 Nursing students were recruited from a public female university in Saudi Arabia. Their mean age was 21.27 years. The findings showed that the overall prevalence of IAD (SHAI scores ≥18) among the total sample was 38.8%, with a significantly lower prevalence in medical students compared to the prevalence in nursing students (57.2% vs 17.6%, respectively, X2=45.26, p<.001). Nursing students had significantly higher SHAI scores and lower MSD Perception scores than medical college students, but there were no significant differences among them in the MSD Distress scale. Significant differences in the main study variables scores were reported among nursing students but not among medical students, with the fourth-year level nursing students having higher SHAI and lower MSD Perception and perception scores than other nursing students.

Conclusion

The highlights that medical and nursing students are susceptible to developing anxiety-related disorders and distress that may have negative impacts on their academic achievements and future careers. Both nursing and medical faculty should help in identifying strategies to support the students' mental health and well-being.

Prevalence of the medical student syndrome among health professions students and its effects on their academic performance

Medical student syndrome (MSS) is health-related anxiety while studying a specific disease that leads to stress and anxiety. The study aims to determine the prevalence of MSS among health professions students to identify its effect on the student academic performance and to recognize the awareness of MSS among health professions students. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study where 544 students from King Saud University health colleges were included and filled in a self-reported designed questionnaire. We used validated scale of short health anxiety inventory closed-ended items to measure the prevalence of MSS. All statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package for social sciences statistical software package. The results showed that 8.5% of the health colleges students were affected by MSS. The students with the medical syndrome had higher levels of anxiety (anxiety-odd ratio [OR] = 1.3, P = .35; anxiety-OR = 1.57, P = .27) and hypochondriac issues (hypochondria-OR = 2.93, P = .03; hypochondria-OR = 2.61, P = .14) than other students. Concerning to MSS negative consequences, students who experienced medical syndrome most of the time and always were 1.43 and 1.45 times more likely to experience anxiety. As a result of the medical syndrome, students with a grade point average decrease of <0.20 are 3.37 times more likely to develop a hypochondriac problem than students with no grade point average decrease (OR = 3.37; P = .04). Third-year students reported more anxiety and hypochondria symptoms than other-year students. In conclusion, MSS is a growing problem in health colleges. This study showed that, academic performance was affected for the students who have MSS. The prevention of this phenomenon may be greatly enhanced by reassurance and discussions about this syndrome.

Medical Students' Syndrome among Medical Students in the University of Sharjah, UAE

Background  Medical students' syndrome (MSS) is a set of psychosomatic symptoms that affect students due to their medical background knowledge. Objectives  This study aims to measure the prevalence and assess the knowledge about MSS among medical students at the University of Sharjah. It also aims to compare the attributed characteristics of MSS between different years of study. Methods  A self-administered 24-item questionnaire was distributed to 503 students enrolled in the College of Medicine at University of Sharjah using nonprobability convenience sampling during June 2021. A total of 472 responses were completed and analyzed using descriptive studies and chi-squared test. Results  The prevalence of MSS in this study was found to be 70.8% ( n  = 334). Clinical year students were 1.75 times more likely to have felt they had a disease they studied about (95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.90, p  = 0.03). Conclusion  Medical students are more likely to experience MSS as their education progresses.

Prevalence and correlates of health anxiety among medical students: a cross-sectional study from the United Arab Emirates

Background

It is often reported that medical students repeatedly develop health anxiety related to the diseases that they are studying. To the best of our knowledge, health anxiety has not been investigated in medical students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of health anxiety among a sample of medical students attending the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). We conducted a cross-sectional study of 193 undergraduate medical students (68 males, 125 females) across the 6 years of the College of Medicine at the UAEU. Students were screened for health anxiety using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI).

Results

Eighteen students (9.3%) reached the threshold for clinically significant health anxiety on the SHAI (score ≥ 27). There was no statistically significant difference between those with and those without health anxiety in age, gender, place of origin, or year of study. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups as regards a past history of medical or mental health conditions influencing their choice of college. No specific student demographic or background characteristics significantly predicted the occurrence of clinically significant health anxiety.

Conclusions

Health anxiety was prevalent in a significant proportion of subjects in our sample (almost one in every ten students). Individual experiences of medical and mental illness may play a role in the development of health anxiety and in the choice of studying medicine.

Cyberchondria and COVID-19 anxiety and internet addiction among nursing students

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between cyberchondria and COVID-19 anxiety and internet addiction in nursing students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 843 students studying in the nursing department of Adnan Menderes University. The mean age of the students was 20.8 ± 1.72 years and 61.2% were female. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form were used to collect data. The study found a positive association between internet addiction, cyberchondria severity, and anxiety about COVID-19. It was found that the anxiety of COVID-19 had a mediating role in the association between internet addiction and cyberchondria severity. It was found that the use of the internet as a source of information on health problems and trusting the health information found had a significant effect on high cyberchondria levels (p < 0.05). Taken together, the findings of previous studies and this study on the role of the association between internet addiction and cyberchondria exacerbating anxiety due to the pandemic provide further evidence for healthcare professionals that greater focus is needed on the problems of the new era related to people-internet interaction. To reduce the negative effects of the current health crisis and future health crises, interventions for nursing students to control their internet use and cyberchondria behaviors should be prioritized.

Effects of Online Mental Health Classes on Mental Health and Stigma: a Controlled Before-After Study with 1-Month Follow-Up

Though the importance of mental health education has been emphasised, how learning about mental health helps the learners’ mental health remains to be evaluated. Accordingly, this study aimed to appraise the mental health effects of online mental health classes in a controlled before-after study with a 1-month follow-up. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and Depression Stigma Scale were completed by 16 students in a mental health class and 12 in a non-mental health class. While there was no significant difference in depression, anxiety and stress, between groups (type of class) and within groups (assessment points), the levels of stigma were significantly lower in mental health students than non-mental health students at post-semester (p = .004). Findings illustrate temporal effectiveness of mental health classes on stigma; however, continuous education is needed to maintain the effects. Educators in mental health are recommended to design a long-term plan to support learners’ mental health.

Somatization symptoms-prevalence and risk, stress and resilience factors among medical and dental students at a mid-sized German university

Objective

Previous studies have shown that an increased prevalence of mental illness can be found among medical and dental students. Among these, somatization symptoms are severely understudied. The present study examined the prevalence of somatization symptoms in a subpopulation of medical and dental students and aimed at finding associated risk and resilience factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-reporting questionnaire, including the SOMS-2, the Becks-Depression-Inventory-II (BDI-II), the NEO-Five-Factor-Inventory, and a questionnaire on socio-demographics for possible risk and resilience factors. A total of 271 medical and dental students of a mid-sized German university completed the questionnaire.

Results

The Somatization index yielded a mean of 9.12 symptoms for the total sample, which is 1.2 SD higher than the reported norm. A total of 50.7% of the medical students and 63.6% of the dental students transcend a critical somatization score. Significant positive associations for eight general risk factors, four university related stress factors, and a significant negative association for seven resilience factors were found.

Conclusion

Medical and even more dental students at the studied university showed a high burden of somatoform complaints. Also, factors were found that could be of etiological relevance and others that could be used to enhance resilience. Both could present an opportunity for the prevention of somatization disorders but prospective and multicenter studies with an aged-matched comparison group are needed to obtain a more accurate overview.

The Mediating Effect of Reassurance-Seeking Behavior on the Influence of Viral Anxiety and Depression on COVID-19 Obsession Among Medical Students

OBJECTIVES

Healthcare workers experienced great psychological burden due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, medical healthcare workers experienced greater instances of insomnia, anxiety, depression, somatization, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms than the general population. This study aimed to explore the association between viral anxiety and obsession with COVID-19 among medical students with reassurance-seeking behavior as a mediator.

METHODS

In October 2021, an online survey was conducted among medical students at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine. The clinical characteristics of 162 participants and their responses to rating scales, including stress and anxiety to viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), and Obsession with COVID-19 scale were collected.

RESULTS

Medical students' obsession with COVID-19 was based on the PHQ-9 (β = 0.15, p = 0.01), SAVE-6 (β = 0.43, p < 0.001), and CRBS (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) scores (adjusted R² = 0.49, F = 39.9, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that medical students' viral anxiety and depression directly influenced their obsession with COVID-19, and their reassurance-seeking behavior partially mediated the effects of depression or viral anxiety on obsession with COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical students' viral anxiety and depression may affect their obsession with COVID-19, and reassurance-seeking behaviors may mediate this. Therefore, medical students should adopt adaptive coping strategies to prevent high levels of viral anxiety and recurrent reassurance-seeking behavior.

Dental Students' Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Temporomandibular Dysfunction-Self-Rating versus Clinical Assessment

The aim of this study was to compare dental students' self-perception of oral health with the results of a clinical examination of the masticatory system. Seventy-four dental students (38 (51.4%) females and 36 (48.6%) males) completed the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-G-14) and underwent a clinical examination according to the Graz Dysfunction Index (GDI). Data were analyzed with descriptive and comparative statistics. Median OHIP-G-14 scores were 3 (IQR 0-6) in the total collective, 4 (1-11) in females, and 2 (0-4) in males (p = 0.072). A score of 0 was found in 29.7% of the sample. The results of the GDI were 50% "normal function", 43.2% "adaptation", 5.4% "compensation", and 1.4% "dysfunction". The comparison of OHIP-G-14 scores and DGI groups showed a significant difference (p = 0.031). Based on the questionnaire, less than one third of the sample indicated maximum oral health-related quality of life. In contrast, the GDI revealed "normal function" or "adaptation" in 93.2%. Dental students underappreciated their oral health condition. Health assessments should not be solely questionnaire-based, especially in health professionals (-to-be). To establish a valid diagnosis of the state of health, self-assessment must be complemented by an objective clinical examination, e.g., GDI.

"Medical Student Syndrome"-A Myth or a Real Disease Entity? Cross-Sectional Study of Medical Students of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland

The description of Medical Student Syndrome is based on the assumption that inexperienced medical students are prone to develop a pathological fear of medical conditions they are taught about. The aim of this study is to examine the sample of students (medical and non-medical) in order to assess and compare their level of hypochondriacal attitudes and health-related anxiety. We also examined other factors which might have had an influence on hypochondria and nosophobia attitudes among students. Methods: The study was conducted in two groups of students: 313 medical students at the Medical University of Silesia and 293 students at non-medical universities in Katowice, Poland. The study used the medical student syndrome self-explanatory questionnaire constructed for the study, taking into account the specificity of the group and the research problem. The research questionnaire was completed in an online survey by 606 students. Results: The results of the study showed that medical students obtained the same scores on a nosophobic scale as the non-medical students (p = 0.5). The analysis of hypochondriacal behavior showed significantly higher results in the non-medical student group (p = 0.02). In the entire study group, females and participants with mental disorders obtained higher scores in relation to nosophobia. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were more common in the group of medical students. Conclusions: Medical studies are not a risk factor for the occurrence of health anxiety and hypochondrial attitudes. Such factors are female gender and having a mental illness.

Increased Frequency of Health Anxiety in Health Science Students: a Cross Sectional Study in a Greek University

Background:

Ectopic Health Sciences students often experience higher level of stress due to clinical knowledge, and it has been reported that they frequently develop worries and symptoms of illness. These observations had lead to the hypothesis that studying health sciences may increase the risk for developing health anxiety.

Objective:

To investigate the correlation between studying health sciences and health anxiety risk in students of a Greek university.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among health science and non-health science students from the University of Thessaly, Greece. The 14 item - Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) was used to measure students’ health anxiety. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis.

Results:

The population sample consisted of 562 health science students and 204 agriculture and computer science students. The prevalence of health anxiety (SHAI score >14) was 18.1% (95% CI 15.4%-21.1%) while 8.3% (95% CI 6.4%-10.5%) of the participants suffered from clinical health anxiety (SHAI score >18). Health science students had higher SHAI scores compared to non-health science students. Multivariable analysis revealed an increased risk for health anxiety in health science students (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.02-3.97, p=0.044). Health anxiety was also associated with sex (female) (p<0,008) and the presence of health anxiety in a family member (p<0,001).

Conclusion:

The current study identified studying health sciences as a determinant of health anxiety in students of a Greek university, after considering several confounding factors. This relatively neglected hypothesis should be further examined, preferably in a prospective cohort design.

Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 for Medical Students: Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Measure for the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties and validity of Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6) among medical students who are at high risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. A total of 212 medical students participated in the online anonymous survey that used SAVE-6, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items (GAD-7), and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). We observed that the single-factor structure model of the SAVE-6 scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.756) and a good convergent validity with GAD-7 (rho = 0.320, p < 0.001), CAS (rho = 0.229, p < 0.001), and WSAS (rho = 0.278, p < 0.001). The appropriate cut-off score of the SAVE-6 scale was determined as 15 points in accordance with at least a mild degree of generalized anxiety (GAD-7 score of 5) among medical students. In conclusion, the SAVE-6 scale can be applied to medical students as a reliable and valid rating scale to assess anxiety response to the present viral pandemic.

Illness anxiety disorder and perception of disease and distress among medical students in western Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To estimate and assess the prevalence and predictors of illness anxiety disorder among Saudi medical students in western Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to March 2018 at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was applied. The questionnaire is composed of demographic data, the short version of the Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), the Medical Student's Disease (MSD) perception and distress scale and history of a visit to a physician in the past 6 months. Results: Two hundred and seventy-one Saudi medical students participated; 71% were males and 53% were less than 22 years old. The participants represented all academic years, with 54% in their 4th, 5th, and 6th years. Illness anxiety disorder was identified in 17% of the participants. Younger students and those with a history of a physician's visit within the past 6 months were more likely to have illness anxiety disorder (OR=2.31, 95%  CI= 1.16, 4.60; OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.25, 4.84). Conclusions: The prevalence of illness anxiety disorder among Saudi medical students is comparable to similar recent studies. Student counseling programs highlighting coping techniques, especially during the early study years, should be implemented.