NON-MEDICAL USE OF METHYLPHENIDATE IN MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION OF TÜRKİYE: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Öz

Objective he misuse of methylphenidate is an important issue in the relevant literature. The abuse of these drugs for success, especially by high school and university students, is quite common at the international level. Young people consider these drugs as a savior in order to be successful in the exams and to sustain with their social life. It is possible that medical education is very hard and stressful for students in the world. The students feel too much pressure to succeed. So, this situation directs students towards alternatives that will reduce the pressure, stay awake and focus more. This study aims to understand the process and usage habits that direct medical students to methylphenidate. Material and Method The study was designed as a qualitative research method with an anthropological perspective. Medical students' experiences, thoughts, and observations on the illicit use of methylphenidate were collected by researcher, using the in-depth interviews. The study started with face-to-face interviews at the end of 2019. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the negotiations were completed in February 2022, after a long break. The opinions of 17 volunteer students who participated in the study were evaluated with a descriptive approach. Results According to our research findings, medical students are positive about the non-medical use of methylphenidate to save the day, despite its side effects. The use of the drug increases especially during exam periods. It is seen that drugs are as an easy alternative for students. The medicines are mostly provided from other friends who still use them. In addition, the drug is also used for weight loss. It is a fact that its effects are exaggerated and advertised among non-prescription users. The results of our research are similar with international ones. Conclusion There are very few studies on the illicit use of psychomotor stimulants in our country. The findings prove that medical students need healthy and sustainable alternatives to cope with the stress and pressure on them. It is thought that this study will be a basis for determining the long-term negative effects of misuse of the drugs and taking precautions. The research is a preliminary assessment to explore the current situation. It is clear that there is a need for more information, quantitative and qualitative data in the field.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Addiction
• Academic success
• İllicit use of stimulant
• Medical anthropology
• Pressure

TÜRKİYE’DE AKDENİZ BÖLGESİNDE EĞİTİM GÖREN TIP ÖĞRENCİLERİNDE METİLFENİDATIN TIBBİ OLMAYAN KULLANIMI: NİTEL BİR ARAŞTIRMA

Öz

Amaç Metilfenidatın reçetesiz kullanımı son yıllarda uluslararası yazında ilgi duyulan bir konu haline gelmiştir. Özellikle lise ve üniversite öğrencilerinin başarı için bu ilaçları kötüye kullanımları önemli bir araştırma konusu olmuştur. Gençler, hem derslerinde, girdikleri sınavlarda başarılı olmak hem de sosyal yaşamdan kopmamak için bu ilaçları bir kurtarıcı olarak görmektedir. Dünyada tıp eğitimi, öğrenciler açısından zor ve streslidir. Öğrenciler başarılı olmak için üzerlerinde çok fazla baskı hissetmektedir. Bu koşullar öğrencileri, üzerlerindeki baskıyı azaltacak, uyanık kalmalarını ve uzun süre odaklanmalarını sağlayacak alternatiflere yöneltmektedir. Bu çalışma, tıp eğitimi alan öğrencileri metilfenidat içeren ilaçlara yönelten süreci ve kullanım alışkanlıklarını anlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem Çalışma, antropolojik bakış açısı ile tasarlanmış nitel bir araştırmadır. Tıp eğitimi alan öğrencilerle derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılarak, metilfenidatın reçete dışı kullanımı üzerine deneyimleri, düşünceleri ve gözlemleri derlenmiştir. Çalışmaya 2019 yılı sonlarında yüz yüze görüşmelerle başlanmıştır. Koronavirüs pandemisi nedeniyle verilen uzun bir aranın ardından görüşmeler Şubat 2022’de tamamlanmıştır. Çalışmaya katılan 17 gönüllü öğrencinin görüşleri, betimleyici bir yaklaşımla değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular Araştırma bulgularımıza göre tıp öğrencileri yan etkilerine rağmen geçici ve hızlı bir çözüm olarak metilfenidatın reçete dışı kullanımına olumlu bakmaktadır. İlacın kullanımı özellikle sınav zamanlarında artmaktadır. Öyle gölünüyor ki ilaç öğrenciler için kolay bir alternatiftir. İlaçlar büyük oranda yine kullanan diğer arkadaşlardan temin edilmektedir. Ayrıca ilacın zayıflamak için de kullanıldığı görüldü. Metilfenidatın olası etkilerinin yine reçete dışı kullanan öğrenciler tarafından övüldüğü ve diğer öğrencilere tanıtıldığı söylenebilir. Çalışmanın bulguları çeşitli ülkelerde yapılmış araştırma bulguları ile büyük oranda paralellik göstermektedir. Sonuç Ülkemizde psikomotor stimülanların reçetesiz kullanımları üzerine yapılmış çok az sayıda araştırma bulunmaktadır. Bulgular, tıp öğrencilerinin üzerlerindeki stres ve baskı ile baş edebilmeleri yolunda sağlıklı ve sürdürülebilir alternatiflere ihtiyaç duyduklarını ka- nıtlar niteliktedir. İlaçların reçetesiz, kötüye kullanımlarının uzun vadede yaratacağı olumsuz etkilerinin belirlenebilmesi ve önlem alınabilmesi açısından, bu çalışmanın bir temel oluşturacağı düşünülmektedir. Araştırma, mevcut durumu keşfetme amaçlı bir ön değerlendirme niteliğindedir. Alanda daha çok bilgiye, nicel ve nitel veriye ihtiyaç olduğu açıktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Akademik başarı
• Bağımlılık
• Stres
• Tıbbi antropoloji
• Uyaranların reçetesiz kullanımı

Kaynakça

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