Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

Fall 10-5-2026

Abstract

Background: Medical students face compounding stressors that may deter them from seeking their own healthcare. This study examined the prevalence of healthcare avoidance and its associated barriers among first- and second-year medical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to 1181 first or second-year medical students. Of 106 responses, 97 met inclusion criteria. Spearman rank-order bivariate correlation assessed relationships between financial stress, academic stress, self-reported healthcare utilization change since starting medical school, and rated barriers to care (financial concerns, lack of time, academic stress, fear of diagnosis, and transportation). Holm-Bonferroni correction was applied to control for multiple comparisons. Healthcare avoidance was assessed separately using yes/no variables.

Results: Of 97 respondents, 71 (73.2%, 95% CI [63.5%, 81.4%]) reported delaying or avoiding healthcare during medical school. Following Holm-Bonferroni correction, four comparisons remained statistically significant (all p< 0.001). Higher academic stress was associated with decreased healthcare utilization (rho=0.420, 95% CI [0.246, 0.570], p< 0.001) and with rating financial concerns as a significant barrier (rho=0.441, 95% CI [0.256, 0.594], p< 0.001). Higher financial stress was associated with rating academic stress (rho=0.409, 95% CI [0.222, 0.564], p< 0.001) and lack of time (rho=0.315, 95% CI [0.109, 0.496], p=0.008) as significant barriers. Lack of time and academic stress showed the strongest association among pairs (rho=0.644, [0.497, 0.757], p< 0.001). Financial stress did not independently associate with healthcare avoidance (rho=0.145, p=0.157) or utilization change (rho=0.079, p=0.443)

Conclusions: Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported delaying or avoiding healthcare since starting medical school. Academic stress and lack of time were associated with decreased healthcare utilization, and both financial and academic stress were associated with how respondents rated time and academic demands as barriers to care. Financial stress was not independently associated with healthcare avoidance or utilization change. The data is limited by the inclusion of only students in pre-clinical years, and representation of a small proportion of the sample population (~8%). Causality cannot be determined from these self-reported cross-sectional associations. Further research is needed to clarify how these stressors interact and whether they generalize beyond this sample. These findings may be of interest to those involved in student support and wellness programming.

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