Evaluation of future anxiety and contributing factors among final year medical students at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine

This study aims to identify future anxiety and contributing factors that may affect the well-being of future physicians, and by extension, public health, while also providing insight for future research and potential improvements by relevant authorities. The study was initiated after obtaining ethical approval from the Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee on 15.04.2024, with approval number 07/44. A total of 187 participants were included in the study. A 44-item questionnaire, including questions from the "Future Anxiety Scale for University Students," was administered through face-to-face interviews. Of the participants, 48% were male (n=90) and 52% were female (n=97), with a mean age of 24,67±1,12 years. Students whose income exceeded their expenses had significantly lower scores in terms of hopelessness and overall anxiety (p=0,023, p=0,028). Male students had significantly lower future anxiety and total anxiety scores compared to female students (p=0,025, p=0,037). Students with sleep problems had significantly higher scores for hopelessness and total anxiety compared to those without sleep problems (p=0,041, p=0,001, p=0,006). Students with psychiatric disorders had significantly higher future anxiety and total anxiety scores compared to those without psychiatric disorders (p=0,016, p=0,011). Similarly, students who used medication had significantly higher future anxiety and total anxiety scores compared to non-users (p=0,012, p=0,022). Students considering a career change had significantly higher future anxiety, hopelessness, and total scores (p=0,001, p=0,006, p=0,001). Those who stated they would not choose medicine again had significantly higher future anxiety, hopelessness, and total scores compared to those who would choose medicine again (p=0,026, p=0,001, p=0,011). Lastly, students who believed their medical education was inadequate had significantly higher scores for future anxiety, hopelessness, and total anxiety compared to those who found the education sufficient (p=0,009, p=0,006, p=0,003). The results of our study indicate that future anxiety and hopelessness levels are high among final year medical students. These anxieties are closely associated with the challenges of medical education, professional uncertainties, and future expectations.