Reassuring the medical students' disease - Health related anxiety among medical students

Background: Studying a specific illness could lead medical students to an incorrect interpretation of certain physical symptoms, so that symptoms which were previously considered normal are now regarded as a true sign of an illness. Aim: To examine the appraisal of self-health state, the existing fear of morbidity and the level of health-related anxiety among medical students throughout medical school. Methods: Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to first through sixth year medical students at the Tel-Aviv University Medical School. The questionnaires were distributed to all the students who were present on the study days. Results: We observed a significant rise in the emotional-distress process with entering the clinical years followed by a significant decrease later on. Similar pattern was seen in health anxiety and in preoccupation with and fear of illness and death. While the perceptual-cognitive process increased gradually, there was no change in interference with life scores. Conclusion: "Medical student's disease'' should be regarded as a phenomenon depending on the years of learning. By breaking it down into its components, one can better characterize it and predict its onset. By defining it as a normal process, one can assist in guiding medical students to reduce their level of anxiety and distress.