8197926 Quality of life and health status in medical students over a long-term observation

<h3>Objective</h3> Medical students face numerous demands during their education, which can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL) and overall health. High levels of stress, deteriorating health status, and unhealthy habits are particularly noticeable among students in the early years of their studies. The POLLEK project (pol. POLski LEKarz - eng. Polish Physician) aims to longitudinally assess medical students’ quality of life and health status. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> POLLEK is a prospective cohort study among medical students at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. It was conducted at two time points: during their first year of study in the 2019/2020 academic year (T1) and their fifth year in the 2023/2024 academic year (T2). Data were collected using an integrated research tool that included WHOQOL-BREF, AUDIT, GHQ-28 questionnaires, and authorial questions identifying lifestyle, diet, health, and socio-demographic factors. Blood pressure, body weight, and height were also measured. <h3>Results</h3> In the first year of observation (T1), 560 students participated, while in the fifth year (T2), 204 students. The analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in quality of life (QoL) during the fifth year of study, encompassing both the overall assessment of QoL and its specific domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Key determinants of QoL common to both T1 and T2 included self-assessed health status, current financial situation, and risky alcohol consumption. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Medical students exhibited a lower quality of life in their first year of study, with an improvement observed by the fifth year. The obtained results indicate the need for comprehensive programs supporting the mental and physical health of medical students, particularly during periods of heightened stress, such as the early years of education. Additionally, regular monitoring of alcohol use and educational interventions may help reduce risky health behaviors and related health risks.