Vol. 7 | No. 1 | 2024
Sleep Patterns and Awareness in Medical Imaging Students Using Wearable Technology
Abstract of the research
Our research explored how wearable technology, like Fitbit devices, can improve medical imaging students’ understanding of their sleep patterns and fatigue. Fatigue is a common issue for healthcare students, affecting their performance and well-being.
Our study involved medical imaging students tracking their sleep and participating in group discussions to understand 1) to what degree they were aware of their sleep quality and fatigue, 2) whether measuring and discussing their sleep would result in behavioural change.
We showed that wearable technology provided valuable insights into sleep patterns and inspired some students to consider changes in their habits. However, many still struggled to implement consistent sleep routines due to academic and social pressures.
What is the purpose of the research?
We aimed to address fatigue among medical imaging students by examining their sleep patterns and awareness of how sleep affects fatigue.
We investigated whether monitoring sleep with Fitbit devices could help students understand the impact of sleep quality, duration, and consistency on their academic and professional lives.
By emphasizing observational learning and self-efficacy through Social Cognitive Theory, our study also examined whether students could change their sleep habits based on the insights gained from their sleep data and peer discussions.
What did the researchers do?
We recruited ten second-year medical imaging students to monitor their sleep using Fitbit devices for one semester.
We analysed sleep data, including duration and quality, alongside informal group discussions to explore students’ beliefs and experiences. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) survey to assess sleep perceptions before the study began.
Group discussions provided a relaxed setting for students to share and compare sleep data, fostering a deeper understanding of how sleep impacted their mood, performance, and overall well-being.
What did the researchers find?
We found that students had varying sleep patterns and often lacked consistency in their schedules. Many focused on sleep duration rather than quality or consistency, which limited their understanding of the factors affecting fatigue.
Students who spent more time in deep and REM sleep reported feeling more rested, even with shorter durations. Group discussions revealed that students were interested in improving their sleep but faced barriers, such as phone use before bed and academic pressures.
The use of Fitbit devices helped students visualize their sleep habits, sparking curiosity and some behavior changes, though sustained improvement remained a challenge.
How can the research be used?
Our research highlighted the potential of wearable technology in raising awareness about sleep quality and its impact on fatigue among healthcare students.
While personal analytics and peer discussions could foster better sleep habits, individual motivation and environmental factors were crucial for sustained behaviour change.
Our research underscored the importance of comprehensive sleep education programs that enhance self-efficacy and leverage social learning opportunities to improve sleep health among healthcare students.
Read the full research report published in the Health Education in Practice Journal Vol. 7 | No. 1 | 2024