The value of stress management programs for medical students
A systematic review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22077006 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Khalid A Bin Abdulrahman (0000-0003-4756-552X), Khalid bin Abdulrahman (Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, corresponding author), Mohamed Hefny (Suez Canal University), Saleh Alghamdi (0000-0003-1020-4704, Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University), Saleh Ahmed Alghamdi |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1737330-1737330 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1737330 |
| PMID | 41607894 |
| OpenAlex | W7123359196 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 96 |
Context: Managing stress carries significant implications for the mental wellbeing, academic achievements, career advancement, and overall life satisfaction of medical students. However, the coping mechanisms for stress management are diverse. The current systematic review examines the proposals and consequences of stress management for students in medical education, acknowledging the array of challenges inherent to their academic journey. Methods: A search was conducted from 2013 to 2023 (September) across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to retrieve articles on "Medical students," "Coping mechanisms," and "Stress management". The English-language articles were the only ones considered in the study. The articles that discussed coping mechanisms, such as resilience training, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs, and/or wellness and self-care workshops, were included in the study. This review was not prospectively registered in PROSPERO; however, PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed throughout. Results: Nine articles were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among 2,334 medical students, 11%, 72.7%, and 16.3% reported low, moderate, and high stress levels, respectively. The selected nine articles aimed to address these far-reaching effects of stress management strategies. The stress management programs encompass creating robust mental health support systems within institutions, incorporating anxiety management education into regular coursework, offering workshops that teach practical techniques for handling emotional turmoil effectively, and fostering an environment where discussing one's challenges is encouraged rather than stigmatized. Such programs encourage students to seek expert guidance when needed, undertake systematic investigations to tailor interventions to changing needs and circumstances, and emphasize the importance of balancing work responsibilities, academic commitments, and personal life. Conclusions: By implementing these suggestions within their framework, institutions can more effectively prepare their medical learners to overcome educational challenges and cultivate empathetic, resilient professionals skilled in delivering healthcare services
Health care · Health professionals · MEDLINE · Stress management · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medical Education and Admissions · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
Healthcare Staff Wellbeing, Burnout, and Patient Safety
The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students
A comparison of two measures of perfectionism
Interventions to reduce stress in university students
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Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice
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A narrative review on burnout experienced by medical students and residents
Resilience strategies to manage psychological distress among healthcare workers during the Covid‐19 pandemic
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |