Linking learning and health: a pilot study of medical students' perceptions of the academic impact of various health issues.
OBJECTIVE
To assess medical students' experience with a wide variety of health concerns and their perceptions of the impact of these health concerns on their academic performance.


METHODS
The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) was administered to all students enrolled at a single medical school during the spring term of 2005.


RESULTS
Students reported the greatest perceived negative academic impact related to experiencing interpersonal concerns (concerns about troubled friends or family members, death of a friend or family member, and relationship difficulty) and mental health concerns (depression/anxiety/seasonal affective disorder and stress). A total of 315 students participated (48% response rate).


CONCLUSIONS
Medical students perceive their experiences with social and psychological concerns as negatively influential to their academic well-being. Strategies that assist students in coping with these issues support the learning mission of the academic medical center.
Kernan
William D
WD
Center for Student Wellness, Columbia University Medical Center, 50 Haven Avenue, New York, NY 10032, USA. wdk2002@columbia.edu
Wheat
Mary E
ME
Lerner
Burton A
BA
D000124:Achievement; D001290:Attitude; D032921:Consensus; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology