OBJECTIVE: To understand stressful situations and coping strategies used by medicine students in relation to patient care. METHODS: Exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study conducted at the Federal University of Sergipe with fifty 5th year medicine students. A self-report containing open-ended and closed questions was used. The data was interpreted through categorical content analysis. RESULTS: The interpersonal relationships between student-teacher, student-patient, and student-patient's family led to undergraduates experiencing embarrassing and awkward situations, making them feel exposed and vulnerable. Patient suffering was a really stressful situation, forcing students to adopt coping strategies (acceptance of responsibility, problem solving, social support, positive reappraisal, escape-avoidance, and religious belief) to control and minimize their feelings. CONCLUSION: The study revealed situations and stressors inherent to the academic experience, which led the student to develop adaptive behaviors identified as coping strategies. The survey also indicated the importance of giving attention to the specificities and needs of the student and the teacher.