Education curriculum for surgical interns that improves stress management and grit levels

Abstract

Introduction

Overwhelming stress or burnout has been observed in medical students, including 69% of surgical interns. This study aimed to assess the stress levels of fifth-year medical students during surgical training. An education curriculum with both clinical and research sessions was evaluated for its effect on the interns’ stress and grit levels.

Method

A blinded, prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an educational program on the recognition and management of stress. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety. The Grit Scale was used to quantify the interns’ grit, conscientiousness, and self-control.

Results

The STAI survey results showed that the STAI state scores but not the trait scores were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the postintervention STAI score and the change in the STAI score were both lower in the intervention group (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in grit among the medical students in the intervention group from baseline to post-intervention (p < 0.001). The scores of the consistency and perseverance subscales of the Grit Scale also increased significantly from baseline to post-intervention (both p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The education curriculum can improve interns’ stress management and grit levels. We believe this curriculum needs to be implemented in medical education, and we plan to continue the program.

Keywords:

• Curriculum
• surgery
• learning outcomes
• teaching & learning

Disclosure statement

We have no financial or commercial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the education project of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University (Grant No.JG20180302).

Notes on contributors

Jianhua Shi

Jian hua Shi, MD, is a resident surgeon of Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, China.

Tao Li

Tao Li, PhD, is a medical postgraduate student of Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, China.

Pengkang Chang

Peng kang Chang, MD, is a medical postgraduate student of Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, China.

Zheng Wang

Zheng Wang, MD, is a professor, research fellow, doctoral supervisor, deputy director of the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.

Liangshuo Hu

Liang shuo Hu, MD, is an attending surgeon, research assistant of Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, China.