title: Coping with cancer: a brief report on stress and coping strategies in medical students dealing with cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This pilot study explored factors associated with stress in medical students during their initial clinical contact with cancer patients, in particular identifying stress levels and coping strategies used.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 medical students at The University of Birmingham Medical School, UK, completed retrospective self-report questionnaires measuring socio-demographics, potential stressors and coping strategies (using the Brief COPE inventory). Statistical analysis followed data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all socio-demographic categories, female gender correlated with the highest stress score (p<0.05). The most stressful situations reported related to the patient's condition, the biopsychosocial effects of the cancer on the patient and his/her family, and breaking bad news. A combination of problem- and emotion-focussed strategies were used to manage stress; and the extent of their usage was significantly related to individual stress levels (p<0.01) in both instances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical students in an oncology setting experience moderate stress and utilise a combination of problem- and emotion-focussed coping strategies to combat this stress. A greater use of both coping strategies was seen in students experiencing higher levels of stress. This may suggest a relative lack of effective coping skills. In light of this, the implementation of coping strategy training as a part of the medical course and/or support groups may be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire, UK. Francescamary.jones@nhs.net
authors.forename: Francesca M E
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Jodie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fellows
authors.forename: David J de L
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Horne
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult