The theme "Stress coping strategies"came up in the course of a qualitative study about the quality of life of medical students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. The objective of this article is to present data related to this issue in the hope of improving the quality of life of the medical student. According to the principles of qualitative research, the theme proposed is presented based on the analysis of empirical data derived from selected statements of the 25 particpants of the study and from the literature. Those participants who developed strategies mentioned among others the importance of interpersonal relationships and day-to-day phenomena, balance between study and leisure, organization of one's time, physical exercise, health nutrition and sleep, religiosity, working the own personality to deal with adverse situations and seek for psychological assistance. One recommends a greater concern of those involved in medical education with the qualit y of life of the students and the development of strategies to promote this behavior or to prepare the students to cope with the stress during medical education.
Curriculum; Education,Medical; Quality of life; Students, Medical; Stress