The anxiety of clinical medicine postgraduates and its influencing factors

Objective To explore the anxiety of clinical medicine postgraduates and its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for anxiety improvement. Methods A total of 549 postgraduates of clinical medicine in a medical university in Guangzhou were selected by the cluster sampling methods. They were assessed using a general information questionnaire, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the Coping Style Questionnaire (SCQ). Results The total anxiety rate of clinical medicine postgraduates was 16.67%, with an anxiety score of (40.40±9.77) which was remarkably higher than the domestic average value (29.78±10.10) (P<0.05). The single factor analysis indicated a high anxiety score for those sleeping less than 6 h or irregularly, as well as under heavy pressure in scientific research, clinical training, and employment; and a low anxiety score for those with good relation with their tutors (P<0.05). The anxiety group presented higher scores in self-abuse, fantasy, flinch, and rationalization than the no-anxiety group, while the no-anxiety group presented low scores in problem solving and asking for help (P<0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the relationship with tutors (OR=0.338, 0.212-0.537), clinical training pressure (OR=2.045, 1.199-3.486), and employment pressure (OR=3.865, 1.548-9.652) were the influencing factors of anxiety for clinical medicine postgraduates. Conclusions Clinical medicine postgraduates present anxiety to some extents, and anxiety is associated with coping strategies. Therefore, postgraduate administrative departments should pay attention to the anxiety of clinical medicine postgraduates and guide them to cope with it in an active manner, while focusing on tutors, clinical training pressure and employment pressure to improve anxiety.