Urgency Index of Medical and Dental Students and Factors Associated with Urgency Addiction

Abstract

Background: Time management is considered a significant skill for medical students, it has a direct impact on their academic performance and future careers. Urgency index can be used to assess time management ability of students. The study’s aim is to determine the urgency index among medical and dental students and identify the factors contributing to their urgency addiction. 

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on 1st and final year MBBS and BDS students. Each student filled the predesigned proforma containing  16 questions. Urgency index for each student was calculated and they were categorised as low urgency if the score is <25, high urgency if the score is 26-45 and urgency addiction if they scored >45. Data was analysed by SPSS 29. 

Results: Out of 306 students, 76.8% (n=235) were from MBBS, 57.5% (n=176) were females and 57.5% (n=176) were from first year. Of all, 12.7% (n=39) students had low urgency index, 49.7% (n=152) had a high urgency index, while 37.6% (n=115) had urgency addiction Urgency addiction was more in first-year students (44.9%; n = 79) than final-year students (p = 0.002) Females suffered significantly more level of urgency index 43.8%(n=77) than males.( p value 0.01). children of working women had more urgency addiction (p 0.04) 

Conclusion: Around half of participants had high urgency index. Urgency addiction was significantly more in females, 1st year students and students whose mothers were working ladies.