Psychosocial Health of Health Professions Students: A Concept Analysis

BACKGROUND: Enrollment as a student in a health professions program is reported to be stressful and to impact psychosocial health (PH). PURPOSE: A concept analysis of PH was conducted using Rodgers' method in the context of these programs. METHODS: Independent, blinded PRISMA review of 3719 works revealed 35 relevant studies. Narrative summary tables were derived based on evidence synthesis. Antecedents, attributes, consequences, a model case, and a conceptual model were identified. RESULTS: Pre-conditioned by students' developmental, social, and environmental characteristics, attributes of PH were: (1) mental health, stress, coping, locus of control; (2) resilience, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, hope; (3) self-esteem; (4) social support; (5) physical health, self-care; (6) academic work-life balance; and (7) academic pressure, workload, external influences. CONCLUSIONS: PH has tangible impacts on academic and clinical performance. Efforts by educators and practicing clinicians to enhance students' PH make a difference.