Linking learning and health: a pilot study of medical students' perceptions of the academic impact of various health issues.

Objective: To assess medical students' experience with a wide variety of health concerns and their perceptions of the impact of these health concerns on their academic performance.

Methods: The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) was administered to all students enrolled at a single medical school during the spring term of 2005.

Results: Students reported the greatest perceived negative academic impact related to experiencing interpersonal concerns (concerns about troubled friends or family members, death of a friend or family member, and relationship difficulty) and mental health concerns (depression/anxiety/seasonal affective disorder and stress). A total of 315 students participated (48% response rate).

Conclusion: Medical students perceive their experiences with social and psychological concerns as negatively influential to their academic well-being. Strategies that assist students in coping with these issues support the learning mission of the academic medical center.