Factors triggering stress among Indian medical aspirants
Several factors contribute to severe stress among medical aspirants, including an extensive syllabus, fear of failure, ragging, and lack of social life. Here are some general factors leading to high stress levels:
Intense Competition: Stress begins as soon as medical aspirants start preparing for NEET. With limited seats and lakhs of applicants, the competition is fierce. Even after clearing the examination, students face an extensive curriculum that often leads to burnout and stress.
Fear of Failure: The fear of not achieving a good rank in NEET or failing to secure a seat is a major stressor. Throughout their undergraduate or postgraduate studies, students must consistently perform at a high level or risk falling behind or failing, contributing to significant stress.
Peer Pressure: Constant comparison with peers who may be performing better also adds to students’ stress levels.
Issue of Ragging: Medical students often face extreme ragging. The NMC report highlights that ragging is a significant issue, emphasizing the need for active anti-ragging cells in medical colleges with strict penalties for offenders to alleviate the stress caused by ragging.
Parental Expectations: Students frequently experience stress due to continuous pressure from parents or families to secure a seat in a top medical college and meet their expectations.
Lack of Social Life: Due to the extensive curriculum and demanding schedule, students often have little time for themselves and may prefer to stay in their rooms to rest or study. This lack of social interaction can contribute to stress and negatively impact students’ overall well-being.
What does the NMC report suggest?
The report which was prepared by the National Task Force on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Medical Students came up with certain recommendations for the mental and physical well being of medical aspirants. From integrating yoga to the active need for active anti-ragging cells, there were several points mentioned.
Yoga integration: The task force recommends that medical colleges incorporate yoga into their curriculum and regularly organize classes and seminars. This initiative aims to reduce stress, prevent mental health issues, and build resilience among students.
“Yoga also plays a crucial role in preventing mental illnesses by addressing early signs of mental distress and equipping students with healthy coping mechanisms to manage the pressures of medical education,” PTI quoted the report.
“Medical colleges can integrate yoga into students’ lives by organising regular classes, workshops, and seminars, providing resources for self-practice, including yoga in the curriculum, and creating a supportive environment that emphasises the importance of self-care,” it further added.
In addition to yoga, the task force suggests that colleges should promote a variety of sports activities, managed by a dedicated sports committee, with specific time set aside for physical exercise.
Department of Psychiatry: The task force emphasized that every medical college must establish a Department of Psychiatry, adequately staffed with psychiatrists, counselors, nurses, and support personnel, to address students’ mental health needs.
Crisis intervention strategy: It should be implemented to ensure that immediate family members are informed and involved during mental health crises, such as attempted suicide or other emergencies. The task force also recommended forming an evaluation committee to assess the ‘fitness to practice’ of medical students. This committee would aim to balance the rights and well-being of students with mental health issues while maintaining patient safety and the quality of care at the college.
Mandatory reporting of suicide attempts and deaths by suicide: This is something the task force highlighted as an important step in its report. This measure is crucial for collecting accurate data, ensuring accountability, and developing targeted mental health interventions.
Effective time management: The task force also provided practical advice for medical students, highlighting the importance of effective time management. It noted that much of the stress students face stems from unfinished assignments and poor time management. To combat this, students are encouraged to develop habits aligned with their curriculum’s demands.
Practical advice and support for students
The task force also urged students to avoid overloading themselves, practice mindfulness or meditation, engage in regular exercise or yoga, maintain healthy sleep and eating habits, and connect with peers, family, and mentors for emotional support. Learning to handle unfamiliar and challenging situations was also emphasized as a critical skill for student well-being.
“Many students have very high expectations of themselves and always wish to perform with perfection. Excessive competition can also result in undue stress. It is suggested that students should set realistic expectations and focus on learning rather than perfection,” the task force said, reports PTI.
Read the full National Task Force on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Medical Students report here.
(With inputs from PTI)