Few studies have evaluated quality of life (QOL) in specific populations such as health professionals. We evaluated QOL using the Whoqol-bref in first-year (n = 50) and sixth-year (n = 50) medical students. The mean scores for first and sixth-year students (on a scale from 0 to 100) in each domain were, respectively, 77.9 and 76.8 (physical), 71.1 and 72.6 (psychological), 70.2 and 77.8 (social relations), and 67.7 and 70.1 (environmental). There was only a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the social relations domain (p < 0.05). Our results showed high scores in all the domains of Whoqol-bref, indicating good QOLin the target groups. First-year students are adapting to their new academic life, which probably contributes to their lower scores in the social relations domain. Approximately one-third of the students in the two groups scored within the first quartile in three or all of the domains, indicating those with worse QOL. This suggests that these individuals should receive more attention in order to prevent the risk of burnout described in the literature for medical students.
Quality of life; Students, Medical; Alcohol Drinking; Smoking
