Summer 2007

I Will Survive - the end of the year is in sight!

It's that time of year again, when for a lot of medical students, it is nose to the grindstone, studying for end of year exams and clinical evaluations. While it's exciting to see another year of study pass and graduation move that step closer, getting through the end of year requirements can be stressful. The effects of stress can lead to anxiety and depression. With this in mind, we thought it timely to take look at how stress can affect your life and to provide you with some useful survival tips to help get you through the end of year mayhem.

This extract comes from the I Will Survive Fact Sheet from MDA National's Live Well Study Well program - a program specifically designed to support and improve the well being of medical students across Australia.

Common effects of stress:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obsessive-compulsive trends
  • Hostility or irritability
  • Reliance on alcohol or other substances to unwind
  • Increased difficulty with concentration
  • Chronic complaining/blaming others
  • Loss of confidence in ability
  • Sleep disturbances/insomnia
  • Disruptive behaviour

Some useful tips

  • Be aware of your signs of stress & seek to counter act them
  • Know your limits - it is OK to say 'no'
  • Set yourself attainable goals
  • Keep in mind your academic results will tell you nothing about the type of doctor you will become
  • Criticism doesn't imply inadequacy - learn how to use it
  • Share your stress and debrief - talk to someone you can trust
  • Be your own first patient - eat and drink well
  • Get active - try walking, running, yoga, swimming, meditation, or aerobics.....
  • Avoid self-medication - it is habit forming and will only cause more problems
  • Be aware excessive drinking and drug use may feel like an escape however may lead to addiction, poor health and bigger problems
  • Develop good time management skills
  • When you make a mistake - share it with someone you can trust, and learn from it
  • Monitor your fellow students and be their advocate - let them know it is OK to be feeling the way they are and that they should seek help
  • If you do not already have one, find your own GP
  • Call your MDO at any time
  • Medical School is the best time to set up habits for life - these will help you to be a better and happier doctor

Remember you are not alone! Seek help from your university counselling/support service. These websites may also be of some help:

1 Ball S Bax A. Self-care in Medical Education: Effectiveness of Health-habits Interventions for First-year Medical Students. Acad Med 2002; 77(9): 911-917. Delnevo CD et al. Health Behaviours and Health Promotion/Disease Prevention: Perceptions of Medical Students. Am J Preventive 1996; 12(1): 38-43 Hash RB et al. Medical Student Body Weight and Preclinical Medical Education. Family Medicine 2001; 33(1): 7-8

This information is intended as a guide only and should not be taken as legal or clinical advice.




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