Sleep–wake habits, excessive daytime sleepiness and academic performance among medical students in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between sleep/wake variables and academic performance among medical students in Hong Kong. Unlike previous studies, we examined both written and clinical skills performance. A total of 249 medical students were recruited. The students completed a self-administered questionnaire on sleep/wake habits in the previous week, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ). There were significant correlations between the written examination result and usual bedtimes (Spearman's ρ = 0.17, p = 0.01) and usual rise times (ρ = 0.17, p = 0.009); and between clinical skills assessment result and self-rated sleep quality (ρ = 0.17, p = 0.02). Students with earlier bedtimes and rise times and better sleep quality had better examination results. Both ESS and FOSQ total score were not significantly associated with examination results. Our findings suggested that students with later sleep phase and poor sleep quality were at a higher risk of impaired academic performance.

Keywords:

• sleep
• medical students
• education
• excessive daytime sleepiness
• Hong Kong

Acknowledgements

The authors thank R. Fielding, C.O. Chan, L.M. Chan, K.C. Kwan, T.Y. Lau, W.M. Li, C.T. Tam, C.C. Wan and S.M. Yan for their advice and help in data collection.