Problematic Use of Internet and Video Games in Students in Medicine

Dependence on the Internet and video games would have an impact on academic performance and mental health. Objective Highlight some of the interest factors in a first-year medical student population who will be subjected during their studies and future to the intensive use of these technologies. Method A self-questionnaire was proposed, from a free access link from February to March 2014, to all first-year medical students at the University of Namur in Belgium. It consisted of questions related to socio-demographic data, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 14), the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Problem Video Game Playing (PVP) and the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results According to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), 1% of the students are addicted to the Internet and 24,4% have occasional problematic use. According to Problem Video Game Playing (PVP), 11,4% of the students playing video games are problem gamblers. The data also show significantly higher scores for problematic use of the Internet and video games among stressed students, depressed students and those with poor academic performance. Conclusion We draw attention to the necessary debate between the rational use and the problematic use of new technologies as well as the need for longitudinal prevention from the beginning of studies.