Abstract
Objective:Medical students are vulnerable to poor mental well-being. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted student life and had significant effects on curricula delivery at medical schools around Australia. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical student mental well-being, assess concerns and determine activities used by students to help with the situation.Method:An online cross-sectional survey was designed. Questions focused on concerns and impact of COVID-19. The Kessler-10 (K10) measured psychological distress.Results:Two hundred and ninety-seven students participated with a 37.5% response rate. Mean K10 score was 20.6 indicating moderate psychological distress. There were no significant differences in K10 mean score or distress level (low, moderate, high, very high) between students in different years of the medical course. Deterioration in mental well-being since COVID-19 onset was reported by 68% students. Main negative impacts were on social connectedness, studies and stress levels. Concerns related to uncertainty about returning to normal and graduation. Common activities were using video chats, social media, exercise and hobbies.Conclusions:The impact of COVID-19 on mental well-being has led to legitimate concerns by students regarding their studies and progress through the medical course. We hope to minimise these disruptions, and reassure and support students to ensure that academic goals are achieved.
Highlights
Survey questions included demographic information; self-rated assessment of current mental well-being; the Kessler 10 (K10), questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on various areas of life, concerns about COVID-19 and activities and strategies used to help with the situation
Results of this study have shown that students are currently experiencing moderate levels of psychological distress, and two-thirds reported a deterioration in mental well-being since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
While psychological distress is common among medical students, females, K10 results from this study show that more students were scoring in the ‘very high’ distress category compared with other studies, including the ‘beyondblue’ survey of doctors and medical students
Summary
In addition to teaching-related changes, other impacts such as loss of peer interaction and social connectedness, and financial stressors including loss of part-time employment caused by the economic consequences of the pandemic have potential to impact negatively on student well-being and cause further psychological distress, disrupt daily life and medical studies. The study aimed to: (a) determine the impact of COVID-19 on mental wellbeing of UWA medical students; (b) determine specific concerns of students and (iii) determine activities and strategies used by students to help with the COVID-19 situation.
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