To Help or Not to Help: A First Year Canadian Medical Student’s Dilemma During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Janhavi Patel

doi:10.5195/ijms.2020.538

Abstract

I am a first-year medical student, and this is a commentary, highlighting some of the dilemmas and challenges encountered by a first-year medical student during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 crisis. With the declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency, and medical students having to discontinue their clinical duties, I felt apprehensive. As if being restricted from serving the communities for whom I took an oath of service, even before I could start. Talking with my mentors and through self-reflection, I found solace in diverting my energy in supporting the frontline staff from the bleachers. This article would provide medical students with an opportunity to think critically during these times, stir conversation amongst medical students, and allow them to recognize how to reconcile with so much uncertainty about the future.

Highlights

My phone rang, it was my supervisor calling to check in
Sensing that many medical students felt the same as me yet recognizing our responsibility to engage in social distancing like all citizens, the few days went into finding a sweet balance
We started seeing a rise in initiatives started by medical students to help with the COVID-19 relief.[1]

Summary

Introduction

My phone rang, it was my supervisor calling to check in. He asked what my thoughts were about medical students being suspended from clinical duties. Sensing that many medical students felt the same as me yet recognizing our responsibility to engage in social distancing like all citizens, the few days went into finding a sweet balance. We started seeing a rise in initiatives started by medical students to help with the COVID-19 relief.[1] Initiatives like helping frontline workers by doing grocery runs or providing child-care services. It was heart-warming to see how students from all across the globe were collaborating, reaching out, innovating and trying to support the frontline heroes.[2] Personally, I found myself drawn to reducing anxiety and aiding in the mental health of community members.

Results

Conclusion