Abstract

Workplace stress is recognized as a major health concern. However, for medical undergraduates, the issue seems to be relatively undervalued. The objective of this study is to investigate stress levels and propose possible causes in first year medical male students at Alfaisal University (AU). A survey adopted from The Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC) at Kenyon College was conducted to estimate stress levels among the 41 targeted students. A literature review was conducted to compare our results with the available studies. Students and faculty members were also interviewed. Stress levels are classified into five categories in the BFEC survey (1: lowest 5: highest). 82.9% of all students were above the average stress level and no moderate-to-low stress levels were detected. 17.1% were in the third stress level, 24.4% of students were in the forth stress level, and the majority (58.5%) of the students were in the fifth (highest) stress level. 18 out of 25 students considered exams as the main stress-aggravating factor while only 7 students considered media and news to be the cause instead. Medical undergraduates’ high stress level suggests the need for more attention. Exams’ contribution to high stress levels at AU appears to be more significant than that of the current media's.