Understanding medical students' perceptions of failure in medical school

Abstract

This paper explores medical students' perceptions of failure through a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to gather insights from six students across different academic years at Queen Mary University of London. The study aims to understand how students define failure, its causes, and its impact on their academic and personal lives. Key findings reveal that failure is perceived as multifaceted, influenced by internal and external expectations, and evolves throughout medical school. The impact of failure is significant, affecting students' motivation, mental health, and coping mechanisms. While students sought both formal and informal support, barriers such as stigma and a lack of awareness hindered access to help. The study concludes that fostering an open dialogue on failure and integrating support systems could improve students' experiences, better preparing them for the uncertainties of clinical practice. Limitations include the small sample size and focus on a single institution. Further research is suggested to broaden the understanding of failure at different stages of medical education.