The Influence of Stress on the Quality of Life Among Students from the Medical Field

Annual data provided by worldwide organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Institute of Stress (AIS), and the Mental Health Foundation show that education and health professions are under the most stress. Although burnout and stress are usually associated with a more mature age, results from modern studies show that younger generations (18–24) experience a higher level of stress and anxiety than older ones, with the leading cause of this phenomenon being associated with increased expectations and the pressure to exceed them. According to WHO data, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds, with depression being one of the leading diseases in this age group.These alarming statistics draw particular attention to the mental health of medical students, who, in addition to falling into the risky age group, are exposed to a high amount of stress from their chosen professional environment. Given the global shortage of health care workers and high dropout rates among trainees, implementing stress management programs for medical students is becoming an increasingly topical issue.The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of stress on students studying medical specialties and on their quality of life throughout their study period.The results obtained revealed increased stress levels among the respondents. This data proves the negative impact of stress on students' mental and physical health and decreases their quality of life. Such concerning findings undoubtedly highlight the need for increased attention to the problem and the search for alternatives to minimize stress levels among medical students