Dataset Information

Impact of the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Student Well-Being: a Multisite Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically impacted medical student experiences. Little is known about the impact of the pandemic on student well-being and protective factors for burnout.

Objective

Assess US medical student burnout, stress, and loneliness during the initial phase of the pandemic, compare results to pre-pandemic data, and identify risk factors for distress and protective factors to inform support interventions.

Design

Cross-sectional survey of medical students conducted between May and July 2020.

Participants

3826 students from 22 medical schools.

Main measures

Burnout (MBI-HSS), stress (PSS-10), loneliness (UCLA scale), and student experiences. Compared burnout and stress to pre-pandemic studies (2010-2020).

Key results

Of 12,389 students, 3826 responded (31%). Compared to pre-pandemic studies, burnout was lower (50% vs. 52%, P = 0.03) while mean stress was higher (18.9 vs. 16.0, P < 0.001). Half (1609/3247) reported high (≥ 6/9) loneliness scores. Significant differences were found in burnout and stress by class year (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001) and race (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001), with the highest levels in second- and third-year students and Black, Asian, or other racial minority students. Students experiencing financial strain or racism had higher burnout and stress (P < 0.001 for all). Respondents with COVID-19 diagnoses in themselves or family members had higher stress (P < 0.001). Nearly half (1756/3569) volunteered during the pandemic, with volunteers reporting lower burnout [48% (782/1639) vs. 52% (853/1656), P = 0.03].

Conclusions

While stress was higher compared to pre-pandemic data, burnout was significantly lower. Higher burnout and stress among Black, Asian, and other racial minority students and those who experienced financial strain, racism, or COVID-19 diagnoses likely reflect underlying racial and socioeconomic inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and concurrent national racial injustice events. Volunteer engagement may be protective against burnout. Schools should proactively support vulnerable students during periods of stress.

SUBMITTER: Alkureishi ML

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9202979 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Impact of the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Student Well-Being: a Multisite Survey.

Alkureishi Maria L ML Jaishankar Devika D Dave Shivam S Tatineni Swetha S Zhu Mengqi M Chretien Katherine C KC Woodruff James N JN Pincavage Amber A Lee Wei Wei WW

Journal of general internal medicine 20220616 9

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic drastically impacted medical student experiences. Little is known about the impact of the pandemic on student well-being and protective factors for burnout.<h4>Objective</h4>Assess US medical student burnout, stress, and loneliness during the initial phase of the pandemic, compare results to pre-pandemic data, and identify risk factors for distress and protective factors to inform support interventions.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional survey of medical stud ...[more]

PMID: 35710675

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Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented and potentially stressful event that inserted itself into the 2019-2020 Canadian medical curriculum. However, its impact on stress and subsequent professional pathways is not well understood. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being, training, and career choices of Canadian medical clerks within the first three months of the pandemic. It also aims to assess their use of university support systems and their appreciation of potential solutions to common academic stressors.MethodsAn electronic survey composed of four sections: demographics, stressors experienced during the pandemic, World Health Organization (WHO) well-being index, and stress management and resources was distributed to Canadian clerks.ResultsClerks from 10 of the 17 Canadian medical faculties participated in this study (n = 627). Forty-five percent of clerks reported higher levels of stress than usual; 22% reconsidered their residency choice; and 19% reconsidered medicine as a career. The factors that were most stressful among clerks were: the means of return to rotations; decreased opportunities to be productive in view of residency match; and taking the national licensing exam after the beginning of residency. The mean WHO well-being index was 14.8/25 ± 4.5, indicating a poor level of well-being among a considerable proportion of students. Clerks who reconsidered their residency choice or medicine as a career had lower mean WHO well-being indices. Most clerks agreed with the following suggested solutions: training sessions on the clinical management of COVID-19 cases; being allowed to submit fewer reference letters when applying to residency; and having protected time to study for their licensing exam during residency. Overall, clerks were less concerned with being infected during their rotations than with the impact of the pandemic on their future career and residency match.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on the medical curriculum and well-being of clerks. A number of student-identified solutions were proposed to reduce stress. The implementation of these solutions throughout the Canadian medical training system should be considered.

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Dataset Information

Impact of the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Student Well-Being: a Multisite Survey.

Background

Objective

Design

Participants

Main measures

Key results

Conclusions

Publications

Impact of the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Student Well-Being: a Multisite Survey.

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