Browsing by Author "Gordon, N.A."

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    Perceived stress among dental students at the University of the Western Cape
    (South African Dental Association, 2015) Wilson, V.J.; Rayner, C.A.; Gordon, N.A.; Shaikh, A.B.; Crombie, K.; Yasin-Harnekar, S.
    Introduction: A high prevalence of stress among dental students has been reported. Aim: To determine perceived stress among dental students at the University of the Western Cape. Method: A self-administered questionnaire to students (n=411) was used to collect data. Variables measured included demographic characteristics of students and their perceived stress in the dental environment using the Dental Environment Stress (DES) survey and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results: The response rate was 78%. Respondents were in the 18 to 21 age category; mostly female (n=207); multilingual, with 63% having English as their home language. Huge problems identified from the DES were lack of time for relaxation, inadequate breaks during the day, fear of failing a year or module, work load, inconsistency between clinical supervisors and patients being late for appointments. The MBI found high EE (28.91), low DP (7.13) and high PA (30.06) scores. Fourth year students experienced the highest degree of stress on the DES and MBI. Conclusion: Stressors identified are consistent with international dental literature. Levels of stress increased over the academic years and peaked in the fourth year. Stressors experienced may impact student academic and future professional development, motivating a need for intervention at Faculty level.
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    Perceived stressors of oral hygiene students in the dental environment
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2016) Gordon, N.A.; Rayner, C.A.; Wilson, V.J.; Crombie, K.; Shaikh, A.B.; Yasin-Harnekar, S.
    University students are exposed to a multitude of stressors that may impact on their performance. The nature of health sciences education generally involves early engagement with patients and communities, which may add to the stressors inherent to university life. There is sparse information on stressors in the oral hygiene educational environment. Objective. To determine perceived stressors and the level of burnout among oral hygiene students at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. The study sample included all students in the Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) degree during 2012 (N=89). A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Three parameters were measured, i.e. (i) demographic characteristics; (ii) perceived sources of stress, using a modified Dental Environment Stress (DES) questionnaire; and (iii) burnout, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Respondents were mostly female (74%) and primarily in the 18 - 25-year age group (92%). First- and 2nd-year students identified fear of failing and study load as major stressors. Stressors related to a lack of basic needs were identified as major stressors by 25% of 1st-year students. Third-year students identified clinical quotas, supervision and patients being late as major stressors. MBI scores indicated that students were not at risk for burnout; however, most students (66.2%) scored high on emotional exhaustion (EE). Oral hygiene students identified stressors in their learning environment. There was a progressive increase in EE across academic years. The results suggest that interventions should be tailored for specific academic year groups.