An evaluation of sleep quality among final-yearmedical faculty students and its relationship withanxiety levels

Objective: In recent years, sleep disorders, which have become increasingly prevalent in the general population but are insufficiently addressed by physicians, have gained importance due to their contribution to daytime dysfunction. Intern physicians, during this transitional phase into professional practice, manage emergency department shifts, directly examine patients, and simultaneously prepare for the medical specialization exam (TUS). This combination predisposes them to impaired sleep quality and heightened anxiety levels. This study aims to evaluate the sleep quality of intern physicians under multiple stressors and investigate its relationship with their anxiety levels. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 intern physicians at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine during the 2023–2024 academic year. After excluding individuals with known psychiatric disorders or diagnosed sleep disorders, 219 participants were included. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys. The first section included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the second the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the third the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Statistical analyses and calculations were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0. Results: In our study, 59.4% of participants had poor sleep quality, with an average PSQI score of 6.59±3.36 and an average BAI score of 9.63±8.45. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between PSQI and BAI scores. Significant associations were also identified between PSQI scores and factors like night shifts (p<0.05), working in emergency departments (p<0.05), bad dreams (p<0.01), and worrying about daytime events (p<0.01). Higher BAI scores were linked to female gender, low income, smoking, and nighttime technology use (p<0.05), while regular exercise reduced BAI scores (p<0.01). Conclusion: In our study, more than half of the participating intern doctors were found to have poor sleep quality, accompanied by increased anxiety scores. A positive correlation was observed between sleep quality and anxiety levels. To improve life quality and prevent productivity loss during this stressful period, their sleep quality and anxiety should be assessed, and modifiable factors addressed. Family physicians, as primary care providers, should closely evaluate overlooked sleep and anxiety issues, particularly in individuals like intern doctors who may be more affected, referring them when necessary. Keywords: Sleep quality, anxiety, primary care, medical school