Susmita C1, Deepa Braganza2, Natasha Edwin3. 1. Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, Tamil Nadu, India, psych2@cmcvellore.ac.in- Department of Psychiatry. 2. Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Psychiatry. 3. Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of General Medicine.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: . Changes in the quality of life of medical students through their internship period have not been studied previously in India. We aimed to quantify the change from the beginning to just after 6 months of internship and identify potential contributing factors. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the quality of life issues among 93 medical students doing a rotating internship at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, a tertiary care hospital in southern India. The quality of life was assessed before and halfway during their internship using a sociodemo-graphic profile and the WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Version (WHO-QOL BREF). RESULTS: The WHO-QOL BREF score decreased during the course of internship in all four domains of the instrument (p<0.001). A significant decline in score of 5 points or more was present among women, those who reported poor sleep and individuals who had an obligation of compulsory rural service after internship. CONCLUSION: While internship led to a decline in all domains of quality of life, the decline was most marked among women, individuals with poor sleep and those who had an obligation of compulsory rural service after internship. Copyright 2014, NMJI.
BACKGROUND: . Changes in the quality of life of medical students through their internship period have not been studied previously in India. We aimed to quantify the change from the beginning to just after 6 months of internship and identify potential contributing factors. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the quality of life issues among 93 medical students doing a rotating internship at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, a tertiary care hospital in southern India. The quality of life was assessed before and halfway during their internship using a sociodemo-graphic profile and the WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Version (WHO-QOL BREF). RESULTS: The WHO-QOL BREF score decreased during the course of internship in all four domains of the instrument (p<0.001). A significant decline in score of 5 points or more was present among women, those who reported poor sleep and individuals who had an obligation of compulsory rural service after internship. CONCLUSION: While internship led to a decline in all domains of quality of life, the decline was most marked among women, individuals with poor sleep and those who had an obligation of compulsory rural service after internship. Copyright 2014, NMJI.