Relationship of Stress, Academic Pressure, and Burnout in New York’s Pre-med Programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.1261Keywords:
Medical field, pre-med, medicine, stress, burnout, mental health, education, high school, college, university, medical school, new york, pressure, medical program, pre-medical program, pre medicine, pre-medicineAbstract
It is widely recognized that the medical industry is among the most demanding and intense, which has a detrimental effect on students' mental health. Inspired by personal experiences, my aim was to evaluate the levels of stress, pressure, and burnout experienced by students enrolled in pre-medical programs across New York, spanning from high school to medical school. As I witnessed the conditions that my brother is placed in throughout his journey in the medical sector, a question was proposed: how significantly are students in New York's pre-medical programs affected by the rigorous conditions, and to what extent do these conditions influence their levels of stress, pressure, and burnout? I conducted a mixed-method approach, collecting quantitative and qualitative data to weigh the factors that impacted a student’s well-being. The findings of my study indicate that while pressure and burnout are directly correlated to impacting a student’s academic performance, there was no association between their stress levels. Furthermore, a students available support systems did not mitigate their level of burnout. Upon compiling my results, I can conclude that students enrolled in New York’s pre-medical programs undeniably experience substantial levels of stress and pressure within the academic environment. While the intensity of their pressure correlates with their educational level, their stress itself holds no relation. The burnout that these students experience is a direct cause of their perception of pressure, however, the support systems put in place for these students fail to mitigate the adverse effects. Given the indications of the challenging environment that medical students face, it becomes imperative to promptly address health concerns at an earlier stage in their medical journey.
References
AAMC. (n.d.). About the MCAT® Exam. AAMC Students & Residents. https://students-residents.aamc.org/about-mcat-exam/about-mcat-exam
AAMC. (n.d.). Applying to Medical School. AAMC Students & Residents. https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school
AAMC. (n.d.). Dealing with Application Anxiety. AAMC Students & Residents. https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/dealing-application-anxiety
AAMC. (n.d.). What You Need to Know About the MCAT® Exam. AAMC Students & Residents. https://students-residents.aamc.org/choosing-medical-career/what-you-need-know-about-mcat-exam#:~:text=The%20MCAT%20exam%20tests%20examinees,medical%20school%20and%20practicing%20medicine.
Almeida, G. de C., Souza, H. R. de, Almeida, P. C. de, Almeida, B. de C., & Almeida, G. H. (2016). The prevalence of burnout syndrome in medical students. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 43(1), 6-10. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000072
Alnofaiey, Y. H., Atallah, H. M., Alrawqi, M. K., Alghamdi Hussam, Almalki, M. G., Almaleky, J. S., & Almalki, K. F. (2023). Correlation of physical activity to mental health state and grade point average among medical students in saudi arabia: A cross-sectional study. Cureus, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40253
Alrashed, F. A., Alsubiheen, A. M., Alshammari, H., Sarah Ismail Mazi, Sara Abou Al-Saud, Alayoubi, S., Shaji John Kachanathu, Albarrati, A., Aldaihan, M. M., Ahmad, T., Sattar, K., Khan, S., & Dhiman, G. (2022). Stress, anxiety, and depression in pre-clinical medical students: Prevalence and association with sleep disorders. Sustainability, 14(18), 11320. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811320
Bai, N. (2024, March 13). Match Day 101: How does the medical residency match work? SCOPE: Beyond the Headlines. https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2024/03/13/match-day-medical-school-residency/#:~:text=Graduating%20medical%20students%20go%20through,know%20about%20the%20big%20day.
Bergmann, C., Muth, T., & Loerbroks, A. (2019). Medical students' perceptions of stress due to academic studies and its interrelationships with other domains of life: A qualitative study. Medical Education Online, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2019.1603526
Bonnesen, C. T., Thygesen, L. C., Rod, N. H., Toftager, M., Madsen, K. R., Jensen, M. P., Rosing, J. A., Wehner, S. K., Due, P., & Krølner, R. F. (2023). Preventing stress among high school students in denmark through the multicomponent healthy high school intervention—the effectiveness at first follow-up. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031754
Cazolari, P. G., Cavalcante, M. de S., Demarzo, M. M. P., Cohrs, F. M., Sanudo, A., & Schveitzer, M. C. (2020). Burnout and well-being levels of medical students: A cross-sectional study. Revista Brasileira De Educação Médica, 44(4). https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v44.4-20190138.ing
Cecil, J., McHale, C., Hart, J., & Laidlaw, A. (2014). Behaviour and burnout in medical students. Medical Education Online, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v19.25209
Chauhan, H. M., Shah, H. R., Chauhan, S. H., & Chaudhary, S. M. (2014). Stress in medical students: A cross sectional study. International Journal of Biomedical And Advance Research. https://doi.org/10.7439/ijbar
Chen, P. W. (2008, October 30). Medical Student Burnout and the Challenge to Patient Care. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/health/chen10-30.html
Deb, S., Strodl, E., & Sun, J. (2015). Academic Stress, Parental Pressure, Anxiety and Mental Health among Indian High School Students. Scientific & Academic Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijpbs.20150501.04
de Oliva Costa, E. F., Santos, S. A., de Abreu Santos, A. T. R., de Melo, E. V., & de Andrade, T. M. (2012). Burnout syndrome and associated factors among medical students: A cross-sectional study. Clinics, 67(6), 573-579. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2012(06)05
Duncan, A. R., Bell, S. B., & Hellman, C. M. (2022). Intersections of perceived stress, burnout, dispositional hope, intellectual humility, locus of control, and lifestyle factors in undergraduate medical education. Current Psychology, 42(26), 22301-22311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03324-3
Gilbey, P., Moffat, M., Sharabi-Nov, A., Cohen, O., Galit Neufeld Kroszynski, Karnieli-Miller, O., Gillis, R., Urkin, J., & Moscovici, K. (2023). Burnout in israeli medical students: A national survey. BMC Medical Education, 23, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04037-2
Gómez-Urquiza, J. L., Velando-Soriano, A., Martos-Cabrera, M. B., Cañadas, G. R., Albendín-García, L., Guillermo A Cañadas-De la Fuente, & Aguayo-Estremera, R. (2023). Evolution and treatment of academic burnout in nursing students: A systematic review. Healthcare, 11(8), 1081. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081081
Hasan, Z., Saeed, Z., Jiskani, A. R., & Akber, J. (2018). Perceived Stress, Contributing Factors and Coping Mechanisms in Prospective Medical Students of Karachi: An Exploratory Study. Med Forum.
Houda Ben Ayed, Yaich, S., Maissa Ben Jemaa, Mariem Ben Hmida, Trigui, M., Jedidi, J., Karray, R., Mejdoub, Y., Feki, H., Kassis, M., & Damak, J. (2018). Lifestyle behaviors and mental health in medical students [Lifestyle behaviors and mental health]. Journal of Public Mental Health, 17(4), 210-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-07-2018-0039
Jenkins, A. S. (n.d.). Associations between mental health, academic success, and perceived stress among high school freshman in accelerated coursework (Publication 2325368546). University of South Florida. ProQuest Central Student. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/associations-between-mental-health-academic/docview/2325368546/se-2?accountid=34845
Koski, K. (2023, February 17). HOW MED STUDENTS CAN HANDLE STRESS AND ANXIETY BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER MATCH DAY. John Hopkins University Student Well-Being Blog. https://wellbeing.jhu.edu/blog/2023/02/17/how-med-students-can-handle-stress-and-anxiety-before-during-and-after-match-day/
Kotera, Y., Andrzejewski, D., Dosedlova, J., Taylor, E., Edwards, A.-M., & Blackmore, C. (2022). Mental health of czech university psychology students: Negative mental health attitudes, mental health shame and self-compassion. Healthcare, 10(4), 676. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040676
Kristensen, F., Troeng, O., Safavi, M., & Narayanan, P. (2015). Competition in higher education – good or bad? Lund University.
Kulick, G., & Wright, R. (2008). The impact of grading on the curve: A simulation analysis. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2008.020205
Lauram. (2019, October 29). Dealing with Stress as a Medical Student. The Medic Portal. https://www.themedicportal.com/blog/dealing-with-stress-as-a-medical-student/
Lomte, T. S. (2022, January 18). Impact of medical education on the mental health of students. News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220118/Impact-of-medical-education-on-the-mental-health-of-students.aspx
Lu, Y., Li, Y., Zhong, X., Long, H., Chen, F., & Jin, X. (2022). Relationship between job burnout, depressive symptoms, and career choice regret among chinese postgraduates of stomatology. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 16042. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316042
Lumina Foundation. (2023, March 23). Mental health and stress are reasons for undergraduates stopping coursework, according to new Gallup-Lumina study. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mental-health-and-stress-are-reasons-for-undergraduates-stopping-coursework-according-to-new-gallup-lumina-study-301779438.html
Maslach, C., Jackson, S. E., Leiter, M. P., Schaufeli, W. B., & Schwab, R. L. (2016). Maslach Burnout Inventory™ (MBI). Mindgarden. https://www.mindgarden.com/117-maslach-burnout-inventory-mbi
McPhillips, D. (2023, March 23). Mental health struggles are driving more college students to consider dropping out, survey finds. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/23/health/mental-health-college-dropout-survey-wellness/index.html
Melese, B., Birhanu Bayu, Fikir Wondwossen, Kalkidan Tilahun, Lema, S., Ayehu, M., & Loha, E. (2016). Prevalence of mental distress and associated factors among hawassa university medical students, southern ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. BMC Research Notes, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-2289-7
Moez Mohammed Ibrahim Bashir, Mohmed Ahmed Fadelalla Alrayah, Mohamed Esameldeen Elsayed Mustafa, Mohammed Khalid Abdulla Maroof, Mohamed Awad Omer Hamad, & Moaid Mohamedosman Ali Mohamedosman. (2023). Medicine as a career choice: A comprehensive study on factors influencing sudanese students to opt in/out medical career. BMC Medical Education, 23, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04415-w
Nadelson, L. S., Semmelroth, C., Martinez, G., Featherstone, M., Fuhriman, C. A., & Sell, A. (2013). Why did they come here? –The influences and expectations of first-year students' college experience. Higher Education Studies, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v3n1p50
Nebhinani, N., Kuppili, P. P., & Mamta 3 (2021). Stress, Burnout, and Coping among First-Year Medical Undergraduates. Journal of neurosciences in rural practice, 12(3), 483–489. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1727576
Neitzel, M. (2019). High school biology preparation: Do students feel they have been adequately prepared for introductory college biology? Empowering Research for Educators, 3(1). https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/ere/vol3/iss1/2
Nteveros, A., Kyprianou, M., Artemiadis, A., Charalampous, A., Christoforaki, K., Cheilidis, S., Germanos, O., Bargiotas, P., Chatzittofis, A., & Zis, P. (2020). Burnout among medical students in cyprus: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241335
Pearson VUE. (2021). State-of-the-art ID verification. Pearson VUE. https://home.pearsonvue.com/Documents/Deliver-your-exam/palm-vein.aspx#:~:text=Palm%20vein%20recognition%20allows%20us,of%20our%20clients%27%20credential%20programs.
Pisarik, C. T. (2009). Motivational orientation and burnout among undergraduate college students. College Student Journal, 43(4), 1238+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A217511785/AONE?u=nysl_oweb&sid=googleScholar&xid=5f5707ee
Pitanupong, J., Sathaporn, K., Ittasakul, P., & Karawekpanyawong, N. (2023). Relationship of mental health and burnout with empathy among medical students in thailand: A multicenter cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279564
Rosnaini Sudi, Chang, W. L., Arshad, N. H., Syasya Nabilah Zainal Abidin, Suderman, U., & Luke Sy-Cherng Woon. (2022). Perception of current educational environment, clinical competency, and depression among malaysian medical students in clinical clerkship: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 16274. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316274
Sander, P., & Sanders, L. (2006). Understanding academic confidence. Psychology Teaching Review, 12(1). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ876468.pdf
Santos Boni, R. A. D., Paiva, C. E., Oliveira, M. A. de, Lucchetti, G., Guerreiro Fregnani, J. H. T., & Ribeiro Paiva, B. S. (2018). Burnout among medical students during the first years of undergraduate school: Prevalence and associated factors. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191746
Scutti, S. (2016, December 6). Study: More than a quarter of medical students are depressed, suicidal. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/06/health/med-students-depression-suicide/index.html
Seyed Mohammad Assadi, Nakhaei, M. R., Najafi, F., & Fazel, S. (2007). Mental health in three generations of iranian medical students and doctors: A cross-sectional study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 42(1), 57-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0130-7
Seza. (2023, September 1). How to Prepare for the MCAT Mentally. Jackwestin. https://jackwestin.com/resources/blog/how-to-prepare-for-the-mcat-mentally#:~:text=The%20exam%20assesses%20not%20only,can%20negatively%20impact%20their%20scores.
Shahaf-Oren, B., Madan, I., & Henderson, C. (2021). “A lot of medical students, their biggest fear is failing at being seen to be a functional human”: Disclosure and help-seeking decisions by medical students with health problems. BMC Medical Education, 21, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-03032-9
Shrestha, D. B., Katuwal, N., Tamang, A., Paudel, A., Gautam, A., Sharma, M., Bhusal, U., & Budhathoki, P. (2021). Burnout among medical students of a medical college in kathmandu; A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE, 16(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253808
Sisa, I., María Sol Garcés, Crespo-Andrade, C., & Tobar, C. (2023). Improving learning and study strategies in undergraduate medical students: A pre-post study. Healthcare, 11(3), 375. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030375
Smith, T. M. (2016, December 6). 1 in 4 med students around the world shows depression signs. AMA. https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/medical-student-health/1-4-med-students-around-world-shows-depression-signs
Sperling, E. L., Hulett, J. M., Sherwin, L. B., Thompson, S., & Bettencourt, B. A. (2023). The effect of mindfulness interventions on stress in medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 18(10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286387
State of New Hampshire Employee Assistance Program. (2024). Perceived Stress Scale. State of New Hampshire. State of New Hampshire Employee Assistance Program. https://www.das.nh.gov/wellness/docs/percieved%20stress%20scale.pdf
Steed, K. S., & Kadavakollu, S. (2019). How to prepare for the medical college admissions test (MCAT): Six important tips for pre-medical students from rural areas. Medical Science Educator, 29(4), 1147-1153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-019-00823-0
Sulaiman, R., Ismail, S., Shraim, M., El Hajj, M. S., Kane, T., & El-Awaisi, A. (2023). Experiences of burnout, anxiety, and empathy among health profession students in qatar university during the covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. BMC Psychology, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01132-3
Tareq Al Saadi, Sarah Zaher Addeen, Turk, T., Abbas, F., & Alkhatib, M. (2017). Psychological distress among medical students in conflicts: A cross-sectional study from syria. BMC Medical Education, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-017-1012-2
Thorndike, A. N. (2022, May 3). The roots of burnout start early. See: Applying to medical school. Statnews. https://www.statnews.com/2022/05/03/burnout-starts-early-applying-to-medical-school/
Tyssen, R., Dolatowski, F. C., Røvik, J. O., Thorkildsen, R. F., Ekeberg, O., Hem, E., Gude, T., Grønvold, N. T., & Vaglum, P. (2007). Personality traits and types predict medical school stress: a six-year longitudinal and nationwide study. Medical education, 41(8), 781–787. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2007.02802.x
Vidhukumar, K., & Hamza, M. (2020). Prevalence and Correlates of Burnout among Undergraduate Medical Students - A Cross-sectional Survey. Sage Journals. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_192_19
World Health Organization. (2019, May 28). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
Wouters, A., Croiset, G., Isik, U., & Kusurkar, R. A. (2017). Motivation of Dutch high school students from various backgrounds for applying to study medicine: a qualitative study. BMJ Journals. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014779
Zhang, C., Kuncel, N. R., & Sackett, P. R. (2020). The process of attrition in pre-medical studies: A large-scale analysis across 102 schools. PLoS One, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243546
Zhou, W., Pu, J., Zhong, X., Yang, W., Teng, T., Li, F., Wang, H., Lu, T., Liu, Y., & Xie, P. (2021). Overlap of burnout-depression symptoms among chinese neurology graduate students in a national cross-sectional study. BMC Medical Education, 21, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02511-3
Downloads
Posted
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Pranav Datta
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.