Table 3 Thematic analysis
From: Stress and burnout: exploring postgraduate physiotherapy students’ experiences and coping strategies
Organizing Theme | Basic theme and time point prevalence | Exemplar Quotations |
|---|---|---|
1. Curriculum coursework | 1.1 Academic functioninga challenges T1, T2 | “Workload stress [leads to] feeling pressure/stress regarding amount of work to review and get done.” “I feel there aren’t enough hours in the day. We spend hours in class and then are expected to go home and study/do work. I feel stressed and overwhelmed when I don’t have enough time to go for a run or do something for myself.” |
1.2 Examination stress T1, T2, T3 | “During the exam period where we had 3 exams in 3 days which were quite different from each other, week prior to the week of exams, after the exams where we are waiting for results of exams/ assessment.” “Exams were really stressful and overwhelming, I found my mental health deteriorated and I felt so much pressure to do well and know what I how much to study, I broke down a couple of times in the week or two leading up to the written exam.” | |
2. Clinical placement | 2.1 Placement duration T3 | “Having the placements before our holiday break was very helpful to solidify our learning. I loved the 10-week block of placements. I feel it will be nicer to have shorter blocks at class and then placements back to back, 10 and 10 is great. It’s a very stressful course.” “I feel it may be useful to have a few days break in between placements to have a good mental/physical break prior to starting the next block.” |
2.2 Placement stress T3 | “I felt extremely stress on my first 5 weeks of my clinical placement. My educator hardly gave any immediate feedback and it made me very anxious as to knowing whether I was doing well or not. I got very unwell in my second block of my placement and I was physically/mentally exhausted making it difficult to perform to the best of my abilities.” “Being on placement, coming home and preparing an in-service presentation and reflection - very overloaded at end each time.” | |
3. Transition periods | 3.1 Relocation adjustment T1, T3 | “First week of class, it was a big adjustment moving from home and disruption of routine.” “The biggest stressor has been missing family and friends back home at the end of the semester.” |
3.2 Transition to academic life T1 | “During the first week of classes it was overwhelming to be back at school again after 2 years, but I adapted quickly.” “During exam periods having back to back exams trying to balance sleep and stress of studying. Initially starting uni at bond.” | |
3.3 Transition to placement T3 | “Transitioning from placement 1 to 2 over a short period of time was quite stressful mentally and emotionally.” | |
3.4 Transition doubt T3 | “[I’m] questioning if this is really what I want to do because I haven’t enjoyed much of the course.” | |
4. Work-life balance | 4.1 Lack of time management skills T1, T2 | “Constantly thinking about how much I have to get done. Leads to anxiety attacks and poor sleep.” “How little time off I would have. How much university would cut into my social life.” |
4.2 Health impact and wellbeing T1, T2, T3 | “I’ve been burnt out from last semester, which made me ill with the flu and I’ve had lingering flu ever since leaving me extra upset about situations and it has been affecting my relationship and my strong mindset.” | |
5. Coping Behavioursa | 5.1 Study skill social supportb T1, T2 | “Being with friends from cohort, discussing any uncertainties regarding study or content with friends, calling my family members regularly.” “Studying on campus rather than at home. Studying with others at times but also studying on my own at times.” |
5.2 Exercise/recreational activities T1, T2, T3 | “I get up at 5.30 am every morning to exercise as I feel this is personal time for me to destress and do something for myself.” “I tried to maintain my exercise regime, but I believe it made me even more exhausted after really long days.” “Listen to music/podcast (not physio related)” | |
5.3 Maladaptive behaviours T1, T2, T3 | “Excessive drinking [alcohol]” “Stress eating to the extreme which has been unsuccessful” | |
5.4 Mindfulness and positive self-talkb T1, T3 | “Trying to have positive thoughts on what I achieved so far and trusting ill get ‘through’ this” “Focus on end goal and the impact I can make in end” | |
5.5 Religion/spiritualb T3 | “Pray and calm down mind” “Attending church every weekend to reignite my spirit” | |
5.6 Psychological intervention T1, T3 | “Saw psychologist week 6. Not feeling myself, felt brain couldn’t concentrate or process” “I visited a psychologist a few times whilst on placement and I believe this helped me to develop some coping strategies” | |
6. Financial pressures | 6.1 Curriculum costs T1, T2, T3 | “The travel to each of my placements was also very stressful as I was unable to afford extra accommodation in [X location] as I rent with my [name] on the [Y location]. It was 2.5 h each way every day” “Main periods of stress have been reassuring myself I can do what I want with this degree, that it’s not a waste of time/money and it was the best decision for me” |
7. Course survival tips | 7.1 Curriculum details T1, T2, T3 | “I wish I knew what a typical day as a Bond University physiotherapy student looked like” “The amount of content that was going to be covered in a short period of time” “How much travel I would need to do for clinic” |
7.2 Self-management techniques T2, T3 | “Take time for yourself so you don’t burn out. Learn as the semester goes.” “Best strategies for dealing with homesickness. Best way to focus on work is thinking about how close I was to going home. A little more about how working in a hospital really feels.” |