Objective: High levels of stress and burnout are known to negatively impact academic success, quality of life, and well-being of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degrees of stress and burnout levels of students from several European chiropractic colleges.
Methods: Stress and burnout were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS). Surveys were delivered electronically in November 2017 to chiropractic students from 4 different chiropractic colleges. Data were analyzed using t test and 1-way ANOVA to determine differences between demographic data. Scores in perceived stress and burnout subscales were compared to the general, chiropractic, and medical student populations.
Results: Both the MBI-SS and PSS had similar response rates (30%-34%) and demonstrated statistically significant differences between institutions, with C-3 demonstrating the highest levels of exhaustion (p < .001) and the highest levels of perceived stress (p = .012). MBI-SS results show that in the general chiropractic student population, 26.4% presented high emotional exhaustion, 18.2% high cynicism, and 43.8% low academic efficacy. Meanwhile, the PSS score indicated "moderate" levels of stress.
Conclusions: European chiropractic students experience higher levels of perceived stress than the general population and they may suffer levels of burnout similar to those of medical students. These results suggest that colleges should monitor stress and burnout levels in their students. This may help to establish student support systems in order to improve students' quality of life and academic performance, as well as help new graduates transition to their professional lives.
Keywords: Chiropractic; Competency-Based Education; Health Occupations Students; Professional Burnout; Psychological Stress.
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