[Influencing factors on stress management in medical students-with special consideration of depression]. / Einfluss- und Wirkfaktoren auf Stressbewältigung im Medizinstudium ­ unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Depressivität.

BACKGROUND: Due to high levels of stress, a practical course on stress management in medical school was offered to preclinical medical students at the Justus-Liebig University in Giessen up to 2019. In addition to autogenic training with specific resolution formulas, learning strategies, examination anxiety, and stress management were taught. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the factors influencing the efficacy of the course as well as predictive factors favoring the success of preventive strategies for medical students. METHODS: A total of 81 medical students with an average age of M = 25.4 years participated in this study, with 32.1% being male. The pre-post surveys were conducted anonymously with PSQ, BDI, PHQ­9, HADS, SF-12 and the STQL­S. RESULTS: With respect to satisfaction, stress, anxiety, and depression, a significant improvement was achieved at high effect levels (Cohen's d > 1). Initially, 35% of the students suffered from clinically relevant depression; these also showed a significantly higher stress level at the end of the course. This also applies to students with low study or life satisfaction. There were significant interactions of stress reduction depending on the existence of adequate learning techniques as well as anxiety symptoms but less often due to the existence of adequate stress management strategies. CONCLUSION: As predictive factors against a high stress level in medical students, a high study satisfaction and a high life satisfaction as well as low depression values could be confirmed. Relevant factors contributing to the efficacy of the course are learning strategies and coping with examination phobia. Theoretical information concerning stress management was found to be less helpful.

[Quality of life, stress management and health promotion in medical and dental students. A comparative study]. / Lebensqualität, Stressbewältigung und Gesundheitsförderung bei Studierenden der Human- und Zahnmedizin. Eine Vergleichsuntersuchung.

OBJECTIVE: Which are the differences in health-related quality of life and stress management in medical and dental students? METHODS: 101 dental and 237 medical students from different years of Justus-Liebig University Giessen were examined during winter term 2008/09 and summer term 2009 using the specific Questionnaire on Health Promotion, Life Satisfaction, and Stress Management in Dental or Medical Students (addressing work satisfaction and choice of subject, private life, relaxation behavior and stress management, and health behavior), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and SF-36 Health Survey. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney-U-Test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and Chi2-Tests were primarily used. RESULTS: Dental and medical students showed considerable mental impairment in SF-36. Every fifth dental student suffered from slight to moderate depression. Though averaging more hours per week, medical students were more satisfied with their studies. More than half of the dental and medical students did not have appropriate strategies of coping with stress. CONCLUSIONS: Concerning the mental impairment in both groups and regarding a higher health-related quality of life, specific prevention courses or mentoring programs should already be offered at the beginning of medical training in order to cope with strains of medical school and future job strains in the medical or dental profession.

[Depression and stress management in medical students. A comparative study between freshman and advanced medical students]. / Depressivität und Stressbewältigung bei Medizinstudierenden. Eine Vergleichsuntersuchung des 1. und 7. Fachsemesters Humanmedizin.

International studies have indicated a high prevalence of depression and a lack of coping with stress in medical students. Freshman and advanced medical students were investigated using a specific questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) with a response rate of 100%. Of the subjects studied 81.1% did not have any depression, 13.1% slight and 5.8% clinically relevant symptoms of depression. The severity of symptoms was highly associated with subjective appraisal of stressors. Coping skills of first year students significantly influenced the depression symptoms calling for preventative measures even in freshman medical students.

[Health-related quality of life in dermatologists compared to other physicians]. / Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität von Dermatologen im Vergleich zu anderen Arztgruppen.

BACKGROUND: According to recent studies, there may be differences in quality of life for physicians depending on gender and field of medicine. Presently, there are hardly any data with respect to health-related quality of life in dermatologists. METHODS: Using the SF-36 Health Survey, 112 dermatologists and 113 physicians in other fields of medicine were studied in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Dermatologists' mental health level averaged lower than their physical health level (chi2=28.49; p<.001). The mental and physical health level were higher in female dermatologists than in their male colleagues (e.g., GH: chi2=6.15; p<.05 and MH: chi2=6.83; p<.05). These findings are the opposite of results in other medical specialists. The differences between mental and physical health dimensions on the one hand, and between women and men on the other hand, were found in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to other medical specialists, dermatologists differ only slightly in their health-related quality of life. Therefore, it may be advisable to implement preventive measures concerning their comparatively low mental health status.

[Expectations and attitudes of medical students concerning work stress and consequences of their future medical profession]. / Erwartungen und Einstellungen von Medizinstudentinnen und -studenten zu den Belastungen und Folgen ihrer späteren ärztlichen Tätigkeit.

In the following cross-sectional study 245 medical students from two different terms (three years apart) were being questioned about work stress and the consequences of their future medical profession. Attitudes and expectations regarding future work stress, work satisfaction, coping strategies, gender specific problems, effects on private life and future quality of life were studied. As expected, students in the upper term were able to judge their professional and private future more realistically. The expectations of the advanced students are more realistic and as a consequence it is likely that a disillusioning process is taking place. The results contribute to a better understanding of the present study situation and well-being of medical students concerning their professional and private future which is also important for teaching and the teaching professionals.