Most doctors experience some degree of anxiety when preparing for their medical specialist exams. The stakes are high, the topics themselves can be stressful and there is huge pressure to perform on the day. At work and in exams, many doctors find that a bit of pressure and anxiety actually drives them to perform and to improve themselves professionally. But sometimes, significant anxiety can make it impossible for doctors to perform at their highest level both at work and in their exams. This was highlighted in a recently published study about mental health for doctors-in-training.

There are various ways to manage exam anxiety so that performance is not impaired on these important days. Relaxation techniques can be helpful in managing anxiety in the lead up to and even during exams. There are a variety of different techniques that can be employed. Some doctors find coaching with a sports psychologist helpful for their exam anxiety. While there are many similarities between the training and performance required of elite athletes and medical specialists, very often doctors find that sports psychologists lack an understanding of how and why medical exams are so stressful and why the preparation is so consuming and overwhelming. These doctors commonly describe this as a “cookie-cutter” approach that doesn’t account for the very particular requirements of specialist exams.

But there are techniques that are well suited to the particular needs of a doctor in training. This usually requires a tailored approach that takes into account the doctor’s particular stress pattern and how this affects their performance. And the results can be revelatory.