Longitudinal assessment of QoL and health in medical students: findings from the POLLEK study

Abstract Background Medical students face a range of health risks during their education, which can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL) and overall health. High levels of academic stress, declining physical health, and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles are especially concerning for students in the early stages of their medical training. The POLLEK project (pol. POLski LEKarz - eng. Polish Physician) aims to assess the quality of life and health status of medical students through long-term, prospective observation. Methods POLLEK is a prospective cohort study conducted at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. It involves two cohorts, each with two measurement points. In the first cohort, data were collected in the first (2019/2020, T1, N = 560) and fifth year of studies (2023/2024, T2, N = 204). In the second cohort, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, data were collected in the first year (2021/2022, T1, N = 427) and the second year (2022/2023, T2, N = 335). The tool included WHOQOL-BREF, AUDIT, GHQ-28, and authorial questions on lifestyle, diet, health, and sociodemographics. Blood pressure, body weight, and height were also measured. Results A significant decrease in QoL, especially in somatic and psychological aspects, was noted in the second year. Conversely, students in their fifth year exhibited an enhancement in overall quality of life across all domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Key determinants of QoL in both cohorts included self-rated health, financial situation, and risky alcohol use. Conclusions Medical students experienced a lower quality of life in their first and second years of study, with an improvement noted by the fifth year. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive programs that support the mental and physical health of medical students early in their training, along with regular alcohol use monitoring and educational interventions to reduce risky behaviors and related health risks. Key messages • Medical students experience a significant decline in quality of life during the early years of training, particularly in physical and psychological domains, with gradual improvement by the fifth year. • Self-rated health, financial stability, and risky alcohol use are key factors influencing QoL, highlighting the need for early support programs and preventive interventions in medical education.