Medical student psychological distress and academic performance

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of medical student psychological distress on academic performance has not been systematically examined. This study provided an opportunity to closely examine the potential impacts of workplace and study related stress factors on student’s psychological distress and their academic performance during their first clinical year.

Methods: This one-year prospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary hospital based medical school in Melbourne, Australia. Students completed a questionnaire at three time points during the year. The questionnaire included the validated Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), as well as items about sources of workplace stress. Academic outcome scores were aggregated and correlated with questionnaire results.

Results: One hundred and twenty six students participated; 126 (94.7%), 102 (76.7%), and 99 (74.4%) at time points one, two, and three, respectively. 33.1% reported psychological distress at time point one, increasing to 47.4% at time point three. There was no correlation between the K10 scores and academic performance. There was weak negative correlation between the GHQ-28 at time point three and academic performance. Keeping up to date with knowledge, need to do well and fear of negative feedback were the most common workplace stress factors.

Conclusions: Poor correlation was noted between psychological distress and academic performance.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all students who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Notes on contributors

Claire Dendle, MBBS, is a senior lecturer in the undergraduate medical teaching program at School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health. She is also a consultant Infectious Diseases physician at Monash Health.

Julie Baulch, RN, Dip Teach, is a registered nurse who works in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health. She is responsible for procedural skills training for medical students. She collaborates with medical teachers in a variety of research projects and is a contributing author in publications on interprofessional education.

Rebecca Pellicano, MBBS, is a senior lecturer in the undergraduate medical teaching program at School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health and is the clinical dean at Monash Medical Centre. She is also a consultant Nephrologist working at Monash Health.

Margaret Hay, PhD, is a psychologist and experienced health professional educator who works in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University as the Director of the Institute for Clinical and Health Education. Her research interests are in assessment and admissions and student wellbeing.

Irene Lichtwark, PhD, is a cognitive psychologist who works in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University as an assistant lecturer in the Institute for Clinical and Health Education. Her research interests include situational judgment test development and factors which impact cognitive function and performance.

Sally Ayoub, MBBS, is Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at the School of Clinical sciences at Monash Health. She oversees the delivery of all clinical teaching programs across all sites in the organization. She is also a consultant Rheumatologist at Monash Health, based at Monash Medical Centre Clayton.

David M. Clarke, MBBS, is Director of Mental Health services at Monash Health and Professor of Psychological Medicine, Monash University. He has been a member of NHMRC review panel, a member of the National Lead Clinician Group advising the federal Minister of Health and Research Advisor to beyondblue.

Eric F. Morand, MBBS, is Head of the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health. He is a specialist rheumatologist, and Head of the Monash Health Rheumatology Unit. He specalises in research and clinical care of systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as complex rheumatic diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arunaz Kumar, MBBS, is a senior lecturer in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University. She coordinates the Women’s Health component of the MBBS program and delivers a number of interprofesisonal simulation based education programs in obstetrics. She is a consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Monash Health.

Professor Michelle Leech, MBBS, is Deputy Dean (MBBS) at Monash University responsible for overseeing the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree. She continues as a consultant physician and deputy director of Rheumatology at Monash Health and is the chair of the Clinical examination Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Kylie Horne, MBBS, is a senior lecturer in the undergraduate medical teaching program at School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health. She is also a consultant Infectious Diseases physician at Monash Health where she leads education in antimicrobial stewardship.