Support from people closest to you helps maintain enthusiasm for completing medical education

The support of those closest to you, remembering your initial motivation when you wanted to become a doctor, has maintained the enthusiasm of a number of students.

KOMPAS/EMANUEL EDI SAPUTRA

One of the medical students in West Kalimantan is opening his lecture material, Tuesday (16/4/2024).

PONTIANAK, KOMPAS — Undergoing the learning process can sometimes be mentally stressful, including for medical students. Support from those closest to them and remembering their initial motivation when they wanted to become a doctor, for a number of students, is a way to keep their enthusiasm "flaming".

Yoga Tri Arya Dinata (21), sixth semester student, Faculty of Medicine Tanjungpura University (Untan) Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Tuesday (16/4/2024), said that while studying never experienced significant mental problems. Even if there is, only in terms of learning. It also doesn't have a serious mental impact.

“Stress often occurs when studying material which I think is quite difficult. There are also exams up to four times a month. "However, because we have a support system, this is not a big obstacle," said Yoga.

Even though there are lecture materials that are considered difficult, such as Biochemistry, one should still be able to master it. This becomes a challenge for him and requires extra time to study, thereby reducing resting time. The allocation of time to learn it is more than other materials.

He also continues to train himself to manage mental challenges. Managing stress is done by exercising with friends or occasionally hanging out. He also enjoys playing chess and meeting with family.

"Everyone has different ways to relieve stress," he said.

He also often asks himself what his original goal was in wanting to become a doctor. This is useful for maintaining enthusiasm for learning. Moreover, he also saw information in the media about the existence of specialist medical education program students (PPDS) in a number of areas in the country who were experiencing depression.

From the results of screening, as revealed by data from the Ministry of Health, as many as 22.4 percent of PPDS students were detected as experiencing symptoms of depression. As many as 3.3 percent or 399 people admitted that it would be better to end their life or want to hurt themselves. Of the total PPDS participants who experienced symptoms of depression, the highest were found in participants from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, and Sardjito Hospital. Symptoms of depression were also found to be quite high in PPDS participants from Ngoerah Hospital Bali and Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar (Kompas, 16/4/2024).

Also read: The Ministry of Health's Special Team Will Treat Prospective Specialist Doctors with Symptoms of Severe Depression

In the future, he plans to take up a specialization in ophthalmology. Although the story of the depressed PPDS student has not deterred his intention to pursue the specialized education, he hopes that there will be follow-up actions from the relevant ministry to address the issue.

Alif Irvan Rizky (20), another sixth-semester student at the Faculty of Medicine Untan, stated that study stress can still be overcome. He often intends to study for the long-term benefit of others so that he can enjoy the learning process.

"I am always grateful for what I have received up to higher education level. Then, I improve my self-motivation by asking myself why I became a doctor, one of which is humanity. The support system from parents and friends also plays an important role in maintaining my spirit," he said.

KOMPAS/SUTTA DHARMASAPUTRA

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin

Alif also heard information in the media about the existence of resident doctors in Indonesia who suffer from depression. This is very unfortunate because the distribution of specialist doctors in the country is still very lacking. Therefore, regeneration is needed.

"When in the PPDS stage, if someone wants to become a specialist but faces such pressure, it will definitely become a barrier and demotivation. Meanwhile, Indonesia needs specialist doctors," he said.

Also read: Minister of Health: Immediately Rescue Prospective Specialist Doctors Who Have Symptoms of Severe Depression

Alif hopes there will be an evaluation of the PPDS system. Moreover, he also wants to study as a neurologist someday.