Abstract

Education and training in the medical field have the potential to induce psychological distress among medical students. Aim: To study the prevalence of psychological distress and help-seeking behaviour among undergraduate medical students Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 545 undergraduate medical students in a private medical college in Andhra Pradesh. The 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used to assess the psychological distress. Independent samples 't' test or ANOVA test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify the factors associated with psychological distress. Results: The prevalence of psychological distress among medical students was 46.2% (252). Professional year of study was identified as the significant independent predictor of the presence of psychological distress among medical students. For personal support, the majority mentioned that they would be comfortable seeking help from friends (66.4%) and/or family members (60.2%). Whereas for professional treatment, the majority mentioned they would be comfortable seeking it from a psychiatrist (53%) and/or psychologist (42%). Conclusion: Many medical students experience psychological distress, yet there is a stigma attached to seeking personal or professional assistance.

Description