Prevalence and Severity of Somatic Symptom Disorder among Medical Students in Pakistan

Purpose: Medical students face heightened risks of developing somatic symptom disorder due to the high levels of stress associated with their academic curriculum and clinical rotations. Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by persistent physical symptoms without a discernible medical explanation, leading to impaired daily functioning, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Given the limited research on somatic symptom disorder among medical students in Pakistan, this study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of somatic symptom disorder among medical students at the Islamic International Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The assessment will utilize the Patient Health Questionnaire Physical Symptoms (PHQ-15) as a measurement tool. Methodology: A convenience sampling study was conducted among 500 medical students, with 220 respondents completing the PHQ-15. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings: The prevalence of somatic symptom disorder among medical students was found to be 44.5%, with a significantly higher prevalence among females (53.96%) compared to males (31.89%). The severity level of somatic symptom disorder was classified as minimal in 17.3%, low in 38.2%, medium in 28.6%, and high in 15.9% of cases among medical students. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study highlights a high prevalence of somatic symptom disorder among medical students in Pakistan, particularly among females. Findings suggest the need for targeted interventions such as stress management programs, mental health services, and changes to the medical education curriculum to promote student well-being. Further research is needed to explore the causes and consequences of somatic symptom disorder in this population.