THE IMPACT OF INTERACTIVE TEST EXAM ON STRESS LEVELS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Determining the level of stress among future doctors is important, given the very specifics of medical professional activity with high responsibility, significant emotional and mental load that falls on their shoulders already during their studies. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the integrated test exam (STEP-1) on the level of stress among medical students. The study involved 84 students aged 19 to 24 years, who were studying in the 3rd–4th years of National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsia. We determined the level of stress using the test by V. Y. Shcherbatykh, which consisted of 4 blocks, in which the components of stress were determined – intellectual, behavioral, emotional and physiological. This survey was conducted with respondents twice: the first time in the 3rd year, namely before writing “STEP-1” and the second time in the 4th year after successfully passing the test. Among the respondents, 27 % were boys and 73 % were girls, aged 19 to 24. After analyzing the questionnaires, we saw that the level of stress decreased in the 4th year, namely, it was absent in 17.8 %, which is twice as much as in the 3rd. Compared to the first survey, the group of respondents who previously experienced strong and pronounced stress decreased almost by half due to the transition to a group with fewer manifestations of stress signs – to the moderate stress group. Accordingly, strong stress decreased to 28.6 % from 45 % and pronounced stress to 9.6 % from 18 %. Studying the intellectual signs of stress, we noted a high level of concentration difficulties in 3rd year students – 18 %, increased distraction – 15.3 %, and deterioration of memory performance – 11.5 %. Analyzing the behavioral signs of stress in the respondents, the prevalence of chronic lack of time was noted in both 3rd and 4th year students, 22.1 % and 19.4 %, respectively. A noteworthy fact that after passing “STEP-1”, such indicators as antisocial or conflict behavior; the presence of conflict situations; sleep disturbances or insomnia significantly decreased. Thus, the integrated test exam (STEP-1) significantly affects the level of stress among medical students. But 4th year students continued to have signs of stress, although less pronounced. This indicates the presence of various factors in the formation of stress, and not only the integrated test exam “STEP-1”.In order to preserve the mental health of medical students, it is necessary to develop ways to increase the level of stress resistance during study.