Public Speech Anxiety among Medical Residency Trainees in Riyadh

Abstract

Objective The present study aimed at measuring the level of public speaking anxiety (PSA) among medical residents in Riyadh, in addition to identifying the factors influencing public speaking anxiety from the perspective of the medical residents. Method A cross-sectional survey was conducted over a sample of 203 medical residents in Riyadh. The study adopted the questionnaire as a data collection tool. The questionnaire consisted of a demographic data part, PSA scale (17 items) and a third part concerned with the factors influencing public speaking anxiety among medical residents. Results The results of the study revealed that medical residents in Riyadh had a low level of public speaking anxiety (47.3±11.32). The participants had a low PSA score on all scale domain; cognitive (23.28±5.43), behavioral (10.45±4.16), and physiological (13.54±3.44). Moreover, the findings of the study showed that stuttering (91.1%), negative perceptions of individuals’ own voice (77.8%), and language barriers (76.8%) were the main factors influencing the public speaking anxiety among medical residents. Finally, we found through linear regression analysis that PSA is not significantly predicted by participants’ living region, marital Status, gender, residency level, type of pre-college school, age or being previously diagnosed by a mental health issue. Conclusion There is a low level of public speaking anxiety among medical residents in Riyadh. In addition, the study concluded that stuttering, negative perceptions about voice and language barriers are negatively influencing the public speaking anxiety among medical residents in Riyadh.