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Friday, August 16, 2024

NEWS 16.08.2024

41% respondents felt uncomfortable in seeking help

Med Students Face Immense Stress: 16.08.2024

NMC According to the survey report, released by the NMC task force, accessibility of mental health services for students at medical colleges was rated as very or somewhat inaccessible by 3,648 (19%) UG students and the quality of these services was perceived as very poor or poor by 4,808 (19%). Among the PG students, the survey results reveal nearly 41% of the respondents felt uncomfortable in seeking help. On examining the landscape of seeking mental health assistance, the experts note, most (44%) students avoided seeking help due to confidentiality concerns, highlighting the pervasive fear of privacy breaches and its deterrent effect on seeking help. Stigma was another significant barrier, with 20% respondents expressing fear of societal judgment and misunderstanding of mental health issues. Additionally, 16% of PG students cited unspecified challenges, indicative of various obstacles not explicitly categorised. Furthermore, concerns about the impact on future job prospects (9%) and licensing issues (1%) demonstrate the intricate interplay between mental health-seeking behaviours and professional livelihoods. “If these are the concerns faced by future healthcare professionals themselves, their potential in influencing patients to seek help becomes a question that needs to be thought through,” the NMC task force says. The task force has recommended implementing the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative of the health ministry in all medical colleges to provide a 24x7 support system across the campus. It has also suggested that resident doctors work no more than 74 hours per week, and no more than 24 hours at a stretch. The schedule includes one day off per week, one 24-hour duty, and 10-hour shifts for the remaining five days. “Excessive duty hours pose risks to the physical and mental health of medical students and also compromise patient safety,” the task force headed by Dr Suresh Bada Math, a professor of psychiatry at NIMHANS Bangalore, says. Dr B N Gangadhar, the NMC chairman, in his message shared with the report, adds: “…medical students face immense stress and challenges that often go unrecognised. The rigorous demands of medical education, coupled with the high expectations and pressures, place an extraordinary burden on their mental health. It is heart-wrenching to acknowledge that many of our brightest minds struggle silently, some even to the point of contemplating suicide. This is a reality we can no longer ignore.”

‘Mental health issues in 28% of UG medicos’ New Delhi :

An online survey carried out by National Medical Commission says 28% of undergraduate medical students and 15% of post-graduate medical students have mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, reports Durgesh Nandan Jha. The survey, by a task force constituted by NMC following multiple suicides reported among medical students in the recent past, found that nearly 16% of UG and 31% of PG students had suicidal thoughts. In all, 25,590 UG students, 5,337 PG students, and 7,035 faculty members took part in the survey.

Employees in Odisha to get paid menstrual leave: Dy CM

THIRD STATE AFTER BIHAR & KERALA

Ashok Pradhan TNN 16.08.2024

Bhubaneswar : Woman employees in govt and private sectors in Odisha will get a day’s paid period leave, deputy CM Pravati Parida announced Thursday in Cuttack after an I-Day event. “The leave will be optional and can be taken on either the first or second day of the menstrual cycle, depending on the woman’s preference,” said Parida, who also serves as minister in charge of women and child development department.

Odisha joins Bihar, which offers menstrual leave for working women, and Kerala that introduced menstrual leave for female students in state universities in Jan 2023. A nationwide push for menstrual leave was made in the last Lok Sabha through a private member’s bill proposed by Kerala Congress MP Hibi Eden, seeking three days leave for working women. Odisha’s initiative is part of the 100-day work plan of CM Mohan Majhi’s govt. Majhi took oath as CM on June 12

Govt to create 75,000 new medical college seats in 5 years

New Delhi : Recognising the pressing need to provide more opportunities for medical professionals to receive quality education within the borders, PM Modi in his Independence Day address Thursday announced a significant initiative — the creation of 75,000 new medical seats across the country over the next five years.

The PM said his vision extended beyond merely increasing the number of medical seats, as he drew inspiration from the ancient Nalanda university to position India as a global education hub. Modi said: “I am dismayed and in disbelief to know that many of our children still go abroad for medical education, costing families millions. In the past decade, we have increased medical seats to nearly 1lakh, and we plan to add 75,000 new seats in next five years.” Reiterating his vision for India to reclaim its historical position as a global education hub, Modi called for a revival of “Nalanda spirit”. The new campus, close to the site of ancient ruins of the Buddhist centre of learning in Bihar, was inaugurated by PM in June. TNN

150 medicos hold protest

16.08.2024

More than 150 house surgeons and postgraduate medical students gathered in front of the dean’s office and condemned the molestation attempt and demanded adequate security guards and a night patrol team on the premises. Dean A Nirmala met them and assured them that their demands would be fulfilled. “There is a CCTV camera where the incident occurred. But the camera is not working. Likewise, most of the surveillance cameras are not functioning on the campus. There are not enough restroom facilities for house surgeons at the workplace. We are forced to return to our hostel rooms from the hospital for the purpose,” a house surgeon said.

‘Mental health issues in 28% of UG & 15% PG medicos’ New Delhi :

An online survey carried out by the National Medical Commission (NMC) has revealed that an alarmingly high 28% of undergraduate (UG) medical students and 15% of postgraduate (PG) medical students have mental health disorders, reports Durgesh Nandan Jha. This includes anxiety and depression. The survey, which was carried out by a task force constituted by the NMC in view of multiple suicides reported among medical students in the recent past, also found that nearly 16% of the UG students and 31% of the PG students reported having had suicidal ideation.

Med students’ stress often goes unrecognised Commission’s Task Force Suggests Change In Doctors’ Duty Hours Total 25,590 UG students, 5,337 PG students, and 7,035 faculty members from medical colleges across the country participated in the online survey. According to the survey report, released by the NMC task force, accessibility of mental health services for students at medical colleges was rated as very or somewhat inaccessible by 3,648 (19%) UG students and the quality of these services was perceived as very poor or poor by 4,808 (19%).

NMC chairman: Med students’ stress often goes unrecognised Commission’s Task Force Suggests Change In Doctors’ Duty Hours

Among the PG students, the survey results reveal nearly 41% of the respondents felt uncomfortable in seeking help. On examining the landscape of seeking mental health assistance, the experts note, most (44%) students avoided seeking help due to confidentiality concerns, highlighting the pervasive fear of privacy breaches and its deterrent effect on seeking help.

Stigma was another significant barrier, with 20% respondents expressing apprehension due to societal judgment and misunderstanding of mental health issues. Additionally, 16% of PG students cited unspecified challenges, indicative of various obstacles not explicitly categorised. Furthermore, concerns about the impact on future job prospects (9%) and licencing issues (1%) demonstrate the intricate interplay between mental health-seeking behaviours and professional livelihoods. “If these are the concerns faced by future health care professionals themselves, their potential in influencing patients to seek help becomes a question that needs to be thought through,” the NMC task force says.

The task force has recommended implementing the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative of the health ministry in all medical colleges to pro vide a 24/7 support system across the campus. It has also suggested that resident doctors work no more than 74 hours per week, with no more than 24 hours at a stretch.

The schedule includes one day off per week, one 24-hour duty, and 10-hour shifts for the remaining five days. “Excessive duty hours pose risks to the physical and mental health of medical students and also compromise patient safety,” the task force headed by Dr Suresh Bada Math, a professor of psychiatry at NIMHANS Bangalore, says. Dr B N Gangadhar, the NMC chairman, in his message shared with the report, adds: “…medical students face immense stress and challenges that often go unrecognised. This is a reality we can no longer ignore,” Dr Gangadhar states. Full report on www.toi.in