Getting along with people

No man is an island

In our daily life we need to interact with others. If we interact positively we can achieve good mental health which will enable us to live life to the fullest.

What will happen if you do not get along with people?

• Misunderstandings
• Accusations and resentment
• Threatening environment and hostility
• Deteriorating quality of life

Tips on getting along with people

Be respectful

• To gain respect one must respect others.
• Always address someone by his/her name.
• Speak politely and ask for permission when you need someone’s help.

Be attentive and sincere

• Learn to listen when somebody is talking.
• Do not interrupt and give unwanted advice.
• Try to maintain eye contact.

Be flexible and cooperative

• Learn to cooperate and compromise with other people.
• Be sensitive to what they need and disire.

Be accepting and forgiving

• Learn to accept people’s strengths and weaknesses. It is important to be able to forgive other people’s mistakes, because by doing so, other people will also accept and treat us the same way.

Acknowledge and compliment

• Learn to appreciate other people’s contributions by giving appropriate compliments and credits whenever it is called for.The key to a harmonious life is to get along with the people around you.

Source: A Public Health Education Information from the Ministry of Health Malaysia

Stressor Among Medical Students

Stressor among medical students can be grouped into 6 groups. The 6 groups are:

1) Academic related stressor

e.g. too many subject to be studied, not enough time to do revision, examinations and tests are too frequent, difficulty in understanding content of subject, and heavy workload.

2) Interpersonal and Intrapersonal related stressor

e.g. conflict with friends, teachers, and personnel, physical and verbal abuse from friends, teachers and personnel.

3) Teaching and Learning related stressor

e.g. teachers lack of teaching skills, educational environment was not condusive, and competitive learning environment.

4) Social related stressor

e.g. not enough time with family anf friends, frequent interuptions of work by friends, and long duration on working with computer.

5) Drive and Desire related stressor

e.g. unwilling to study medicine and family force to learn medicine.

6) Group Activity related stressor

e.g. participating in group discussion and presentation.

Those are the stressors perceived by medical students. Hopefully it makes us realise what are our stressor. By knowing our stressors, we can plan strategies and approaches to manage it effectively.

reference:

1. Muhamad SBY et al., (in press). The Development & Validity of Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ), ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry.