The effect of COVID-19 on medical students’ education and wellbeing: a cross-sectional survey

Autor: Hassan ElHawary, Ali Salimi, Natasha Barone, Peter Alam, Stephanie Thibaudeau
Jazyk: English<br />French
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Canadian Medical Education Journal, Vol 12, Iss 3 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1923-1202
DOI: 10.36834/cmej.71261
Popis: Background: Canadian medical school curriculums have undergone major restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study’s goal was to assess the perceived impact of COVID-19 on medical students’ education and wellbeing. Methods: An online survey was distributed to Canadian medical students. Descriptive analyses and ANOVAs were used to assess changes in mental health, health habits and quality of education during the pandemic. Results: 248 medical students from 13 schools across Canada participated in this study. 74% reported a reduction in the quality of their education since COVID-19. 58% of students found online to be inferior to in-person teaching. 65% of students had more time for wellness and leisure activities, about half of the cohort felt more depressed (48%) and lonelier (52%). Student’s overall health habits worsened after the start of the pandemic (F=37.4, p < 0.001). Alcohol drinking, time spent seated, and screen time also increased since the pandemic (p < 0.001). During the pandemic, students with a prior history of depression or anxiety expressed increased depressive symptoms (66% vs. 42%, p =0.003), increased anxiety (69% vs. 41%, p < 0001), worse sleep quality (34% vs. 18%, p = 0.031), and poorer quality of life (55% vs. 65%, p = 0.024) versus those with no prior history. Conclusion: Canadian medical student’s education and wellbeing has been negatively impacted during the pandemic.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals