Ten years of screen time among medical students in Dresden, Germany: unveiling the trends

Abstract

Introduction: Screen time has become an integral part of academic and private life, especially for medical students, whose daily routines increasingly depend on digital devices. Prolonged screen time is associated with negative health outcomes. There is no long-term data on trends in screen time among medical students in Germany. Methods: Data from n = 2656 medical students at TU Dresden were collected biennially (2014–2024) via the Medical Student Health Survey. Screen time for study/work and leisure was self-reported. Data were analyzed descriptively and via Generalized linear models to analyze screen time trends and associated factors. Results: Total daily screen time increased from M = 5.1 h (2014) to M = 7.7 h (2024) (+ 51.0%). Study/work-related screen time rose from M = 3.31 h to M = 5.23 h per day (+ 58.0%), and leisure screen time increased from M = 1.79 h to M = 2.46 h per day (+ 37.4%). Significant predictors of screen time included survey year, study phase, gender, age and living situation. Discussion: Medical students’ screen time has increased significantly over the past decade. Increased screen time is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including eye strain, impaired sleep, reduced cognitive performance, and diminished emotional well-being. Evidence-based interventions promoting digital health literacy and healthg-conscious screen use are needed to protect student health.