Anxiety in the second year medical students in academic year 2008, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University.

Abstract

Objectives : To study the prevalence, level of anxiety and coordinated factors in the second year medical students at Faculty of Medicine,Chulalongkorn University in the academic year 2008.

Research design : Quantitative and qualitative methods.

Participants : The second year medical students in academic year 2008 at Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. Based on quantitative method. They were classified according to their gender and level of anxiety, into 4 groups of 7 students. Focus group discussion was done to each group.

Methods : Quantitative and qualitative methods on data collection were applied. The State Anxiety Inventory Questionnaires were distributed to the second year medical students. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic: frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-Square test and Multiple Linear Regression.

Results : The majority of the second year medical students are female. Most of them were self - motivated. Their common problems were inability to understand and following the instructors during the lectures. They showed less concern about portfolio collection and class presentation, these problems could be solved by consulting with their friends. in spite of the competitive learning at mosphere in the faculty, the students helped each other. Most students are satisfied in overall aspects and still willing to continue their learning. According to the qualitative study, the result show that most students have decided to study at Faculty of Medicine by themselves. Their anxiety was associated with quality and difficulty in the studied subjects, examination score, class presentations, portfolio collection. Also their anxiety was produced by the influence of other competitive classmates. From the study of students' anxiety which last for 1 month, the prevalence rates are classified as medium, low and high level of anxiety which are 62.2%, 24.3% and 13.5% respectively. Three factors that are statistically related to anxiety are learning problems, class presentation, and overall satisfaction in the Faculty of Medicine. Students without problems เท learning and class presentation show more anxiety than those who have. Students who are satisfied with their learning environment show significantly less anxiety than the those who are not (P< 0.05). Therefore the finding implies that anxiety could have positive effect of reinforcement. The predictors of anxiety are namely, portfolio collection, motivation to study for good future economic status, class presentation and learning problems.

Conclusion : The level of student’s anxiety is medium. Three factors which are related to anxiety are namely, learning problems, class presentation, and overall satisfaction in the Faculty of Medicine.