摘要：Background: Medical education can affect medical students’ physical and mental health as well as their quality of
life. The aim of this study was to assess medical students’ perceptions of their quality of life and its relationship with
medical education.
Methods: First- to sixth-year students from six Brazilian medical schools were interviewed using focus groups to
explore what medical student’s lives are like, factors related to increases and decreases of their quality of life during
medical school, and how they deal with the difficulties in their training.
Results: Students reported a variety of difficulties and crises during medical school. Factors that were reported to
decrease their quality of life included competition, unprepared teachers, excessive activities, and medical school
schedules that demanded exclusive dedication. Contact with pain, death and suffering and harsh social realities
influence their quality of life, as well as frustrations with the program and insecurity regarding their professional
future. The scarcity of time for studying, leisure activities, relationships, and rest was considered the main factor of
influence. Among factors that increase quality of life are good teachers, classes with good didactic approaches,
active learning methodologies, contact with patients, and efficient time management. Students also reported that
meaningful relationships with family members, friends, or teachers increase their quality of life.
Conclusion: Quality of teachers, curricula, healthy lifestyles related to eating habits, sleep, and physical activity
modify medical students’ quality of life. Lack of time due to medical school obligations was a major impact factor.
Students affirm their quality of life is influenced by their medical school experiences, but they also reframe their
difficulties, herein represented by their poor quality of life, understood as necessary and inherent to the process of
becoming doctors.
关键词：Quality of life; Student; Medical; Medical education
