Abstract
IntroductionIn order to appropriately support medical students and foundation year doctors, it is imperative that we understand the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had upon them. This study assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students and interim foundation year doctors across the United Kingdom (UK), and the support that they received and sought.MethodA prospective, observational, multicentre study was conducted. All medical students and interim foundation year doctors were eligible to participate.ResultsA total of 2075 individuals participated. There was a decrease in participants’ mood when comparing their mood before the pandemic to during the pandemic (p < 0.0001). Social distancing negatively impacted the mood of the greatest number of participants. All areas of life included in the study were found to have been significantly more negatively impacted than positively impacted (p < 0.0001). 931 participants wanted more support from their university.ConclusionsWhen medical students return to their universities, there is likely to be a need for enhanced wellbeing support, adaptations in the short-term and long-term strategies for medical education, and provision of financial guidance. If no action is taken, there may be a knock-on effect on workforce planning and the health of our future workforce.
Highlights
In January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern[1]
Medical students have been encouraged to take on roles to support national healthcare efforts, which may be especially challenging for students who hold responsibilities as a parent or caregiver, or who are in high-risk groups
Any individual that had been enrolled in a medical school in the United Kingdom (UK) recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) and listed by the Medical Schools Council (MSC) [Appendix S1] at the start of the 2019/20 academic year was eligible to participate
Summary
In January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern[1]. Students who volunteer or graduated early[9] (interim foundation year 1 (FiY1) doctors) to take on front-line roles may not have sufficient training on infection prevention and control, or sufficient access to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE)[10] increasing the risk of emotional and/or moral injury[11]. The nature of their roles mean that they may be more exposed to the disease leading to increased concern for their own health and the risk they may pose to others[12]. This study assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students and interim foundation year doctors across the United Kingdom (UK), and the support that they received and sought
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