Life Beyond White Coat: A Study on Hobby Engagement and Well-Being of Medical Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Background: The medical undergraduate students are obliged to face academic, social and physical stress which affects their mental health, academic growth and self-confidence. Practicing hobbies helps them to reconnect with themselves and create a balance between their personal and professional interests. This study analyses how practicing hobbies affect mental, social, physical and overall well-being of medical undergraduate students through a survey based quantitative approach. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among second- and third-year medical undergraduate students studying in a private medical college under a tertiary healthcare hospital in India. Data was collected from a total of 300 students and then systematically entered and analysed using Microsoft Excel (2508) and the IBM SPSS software version v.28. The findings were represented in the form of well-structured tables and graphical presentations. Results: This study analysed the effect of hobby over various factors of wellbeing of medical undergraduate students. The results indicated that out of 300 students, 259 (86.3%) students were pursuing hobby, among which 131 (43.7%) of them were males and 169 (56.3%) were females. Most of them, 270 (90%) students were hosteller and only 10% students were day scholar. With respect to the types of hobbies, sports being the most pursued hobby by 75 (28.95%) students, the findings also indicated that (93.3%) of students felt that hobbies are essential along with academics. Majority of 277 (92.3%) students felt that hobbies help in maintaining emotional balance, 282 (94.0%) students believed that it helps to relax after a stressful day, and 235 (78.3%) students believed that it helps you to prevent burnout. Whereas 134 (44.7%) students felt guilty after spending time on hobbies due to academic pressure. Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize that hobbies play a crucial role in maintaining the mental, social, and physical well-being of medical undergraduate students. They help in maintaining the emotional and mental life balance and help to calm the stream of thoughts running through the mind. Encouragement to practice hobbies among students should be done by integrating them into the curriculum.