Fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness in medical internship students at a private college

Abstract

Introduction: The Medicine course is highly demanding in both academic and practical terms, especially during internship. In this context, fatigue and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) are phenomena that must be investigated within the scope of medical education as they are present in the academic life of interns. Objective: To investigate the levels of fatigue and EDS in inmates, as well as to analyze the sociodemographic factors associated with these phenomena. Method: This is a quantitative analytical cross-sectional study, covering students from the 9th to the 12th semesters of Medicine at a private college. The Fatigue Assessment Scale (EAF), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESE) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. Data collection took place in the 2nd semester of 2022 and early 2023. Results: 254 medical interns participated, leaving 239 after exclusion criteria. Regarding the EAF, it was observed that the scores varied between 15 and 45, with an overall average of 31.5 out of a total of 50 points. Variables such as female gender, diagnosis of psychiatric illness, difficulty sleeping, use of substances that affect sleep, never practicing physical activity, being in the 9th period, dissatisfaction with academic performance, absence of a preparatory course for residency and beginning of university studies residence in the 12th period showed an association with fatigue. Regarding the ESE analysis, EDS was identified in 92 students (38.5%). Associated variables include female sex, diagnosis of psychiatric illness, participation in social groups, dissatisfaction with academic performance and not taking a preparatory course for residency. Conclusion: Significant associations (p ≤ 0.05) were found between some sociodemographic variables in relation to increased fatigue and the diagnosis of EDS in inmates.