Effectiveness of Foundation Course in Improving the Mental Health of Indian Medical Graduate: A Prospective Observational Study

The foundation course was introduced by the Medical Council of India in 2019 as a part of revised competency-based medical education for a period of 1 month to enable the students to understand the need for a competent doctor of international standards who will meet the basic patient needs when they complete their undergraduate IntroductIonAdolescence is an important phase of life where an individual undergoes physical maturation of the brain and body, giving rise to intense psychological and physical change.These heightened emotional experiences can trigger underlying psychiatric illness, anxiety, or suicidal behavior.When an individual's ability to cope with the daily demands of life is exceeded, the pressure created henceforth causes stress.Persistent stress is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and other noncommunicable diseases in adulthood.1 Additionally, psychological stress can contribute to adverse mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.Mental health problems are rampant among school and college students.Depression among medical students 2 remains insufficiently acknowledged, with the prevailing discrimination and stigma acting as significant barriers that dissuade many students from seeking help.Academic stress has been identified as an important predictor of poor mental health.3 Depression among medical students² can be attributed to various factors, including the demanding medical curriculum, insufficient sleep due to overwhelming academic tasks, the transition from familiar to unfamiliar environments, and a lack of communication skills.Compromised mental well-being for medical students is associated with student dropout, poor academic performance, substance experimentation and abuse, compromised patient care, and weakened social support systems.