A recent survey conducted by a task force of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has uncovered concerning statistics regarding the mental health of medical students in India. According to the findings, nearly 28% of undergraduate (UG) and 15.3% of postgraduate (PG) medical students have been diagnosed with mental health conditions.
The survey, which included responses from 25,590 undergraduate students, 5,337 postgraduate students, and 7,035 faculty members, also highlighted the intense pressures faced by medical students. Notably, 16.2% of MBBS students and a staggering 31% of MD/MS students reported having thoughts of self-harm or suicide within the past year.
Feelings of loneliness and social isolation were also prevalent, with 35% of students experiencing these emotions frequently, and 39.1% experiencing them occasionally. Social connectivity is a significant issue, as 32.3% of respondents reported difficulties in making or maintaining social connections, and 23.8% found it somewhat challenging.
The survey revealed that a substantial portion of students feel ill-equipped to manage stress, with 36.4% expressing a lack of adequate knowledge and skills in this area. Furthermore, 18.2% of students perceive their faculty or mentors as extremely unsupportive, indicating a potential gap in the support systems available to them.
Academic workload is another major stressor, with 56.6% of students finding it manageable but heavy, and 20.7% considering it too heavy. Only 1.5% described their workload as light or too light. The fear of failure is a significant concern for UG students, with 51.6% agreeing or strongly agreeing that it negatively impacts their performance. Additionally, 40.6% of students reported feeling constant pressure to achieve top grades, further exacerbating their stress levels.
Balancing academic work with personal life remains a challenge for 56.3% of UG students. Stress induced by the medical curriculum is also widespread, with 43.7% of students finding it extremely or significantly stressful, and 37.8% reporting moderate stress. The frequency of exams contributes to this pressure, with 35.9% of students finding it extremely or significantly stressful, and 37.6% moderately stressful.
Accessibility to mental health services is a concern, as 18.6% of students rated these services as very or somewhat inaccessible, and 18.8% perceived the quality of these services as poor or very poor.
The survey also provided insights into the experiences of ragging and harassment among medical students. A majority (76.8%) of UG students reported not experiencing or witnessing any form of ragging, while 9.7% reported such experiences. Despite institutional measures, 14.1% of students believe their college’s efforts to prevent and address ragging are inadequate, and 15.8% remain unsure.
Among PG students, academic stress remains a significant issue, with 20% frequently finding their workload challenging and 9.5% describing it as too intense. Nearly half (45%) of PG students reported working more than 60 hours a week, and over 56% did not receive their weekly day off. Additionally, 18% of PG students reported experiencing harassment from senior PG students in clinical settings, while 31% faced similar issues from faculty and senior resident doctors.
Stress management is a critical need, as 84% of PG students reported experiencing moderate to very high stress levels. A significant proportion (64%) indicated that their workload adversely affected their mental health and well-being. Contributing factors include long working hours, continuous duty shifts, and inadequate infrastructure and support at their workplaces.
Alarmingly, 19% of PG students admitted to using substances such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs to alleviate stress. Furthermore, 26% of students recognized a strong link between stress and substance use among their peers. Over 10% of PG students reported contemplating suicide in the past year, and 4.44% admitted to attempting suicide during the same period.
The survey also highlighted issues within the medical education sector, including the presence of “ghost faculty” in private medical colleges and faculty members engaging in private practice during working hours in government medical colleges. While biometric attendance systems have improved the situation, the task force emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to address these concerns effectively.
Lastly, the survey revealed widespread dissatisfaction with hostel facilities, with nearly 50% of PG students rating them as poor or extremely poor, underscoring the need for improvements in student living conditions.
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