Exam anxiety and factors contributing to it amongst medical interns of a tertiary care centre

Dr Sonali S. Patil; Dr Sarita K.Wadhva; Dr Shruti Shukla

Volume : VI, Issue : II, February - 2017

Exam anxiety and factors contributing to it amongst medical interns of a tertiary care centre

Dr Sonali S. Patil, Dr Sarita K. Wadhva, Dr Shruti Shukla

Abstract :

Background: Examinations are often considered as tiresome and stressful experience by students. Students with exam anxiety feel tense, fearful and worried in evaluative situations. Hence this study was undertaken to find out the levels of test anxiety in medical interns and factors contributing to it. Methodology: Present cross–sectional study was conducted among 231 medical interns at GMC, Nagpur. Data was collected by using predesigned questionnaire based on Westside Test Anxiety Scale. Results: Of the 231 interns, 55.84% were males and 44.16% females. The mean level of anxiety was 2.70 � 0.70 and 2.69 � 0.67 for males and females respectively (t=0.038). The major contributing factors were excessive course load, lack of systematic studies, time management and parental expectation. Conclusion: Anxiety scores were high among interns. Factors such as excessive course load, lack of systematic studies and time management, parental expectations, deprived sleep which contributes to exam anxiety.