Anxiety and burnout in portuguese medical students in the final year of medical school: A narrative review

Abstract

Purpose: Mental health has been increasingly addressed in medical students, with high percentages of anxiety and burnout noted. Due to the known consequences for individuals themselves and their patients, evaluating the impact of the final year of medical school on the well-being of these students is essential. This period is atypical, with increased demands and higher levels of pressure. The aim of this study was to synthesize data on anxiety and burnout levels in medical students in their final year, emphasizing levels among Portuguese medical students in their final (6th year) of study, as well as identifying potential contributing factors and areas of interest for future research in this field. Method: A search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and PsycInfo) using the following search terms: "(last year" OR "final year") AND (anxiety OR burnout) AND (medical students)", along with a filter for studies involving the Portuguese population: "(anxiety OR burnout) AND (medical students) AND (Portugal)". Results: Following the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search yielded 14 publications referring, predominantly, to observational and cross-sectional studies. Final-year medical students exhibited generally high levels of stress and anxiety. However, there is a scarcity of studies on anxiety and, specially, addressing burnout in final year medical students. Burnout was detected in 27.6% of final-year medical students in Cyprus. Conclusion: More high-quality research about anxiety and burnout in final-year medical students is warranted, preferably employing longitudinal designs and multi-institutional settings. The elevated levels of anxiety and burnout observed in some studies underscore the necessity for the implementation of cost-effective prevention methods, to ensure that newly-arrived professionals are equipped to deliver optimal care.