Published online May 25, 2022. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i3.150
Peer-review started: December 17, 2021
First decision: February 21, 2022
Revised: March 10, 2022
Accepted: April 22, 2022
Article in press: April 22, 2022
Published online: May 25, 2022
Processing time: 153 Days and 10.1 Hours
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic prompted abrupt closures of medical schools affecting education, exams, and residency applications for United States medical students.
The survey was drafted by two medical students who faced on-campus closure's of their medical schools and the uncertainty of it's impact on medical education. We wanted to determine potential outcomes caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on medical students and examine what measures should be taken in the future to better prepare students for pandemics.
The aim of the study was to determine what specific factors impacted medical students, their anxiety, and the effect on medical education. It is important to examine these factors and determine what can be done in the future to prevent similar outcomes.
The survey was drafted by two medical students, revised by multiple attending physicians, and a pilot test was performed prior to the survey launch. Anxiety scores were dichotomized to a 1-10 score and for descriptive analysis contingency tables by anxiety categories for categorical measurements and mean ± STD for continuous measurements followed by t-test or Wilcoxson rank were performed. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator was utilized to select important predictors for the final multivariate model. The final model was fitted by Hierarchical Poisson regression model.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic greatly impacted medical students' anxiety levels. There was a strong educational and clinical impact and students were faced with many uncertainties, driving up their anxiety levels. It has become evident the need for mental health resource accessibility for medical students is crucial. We still need to better understand the long term effects the pandemic will have on these students as they transition into becoming doctors and how medical schools can better prepare students for future pandemics or global health crises.
This study provides insight on important information about how medical students have experienced and been affected by the pandemic. We recommend that efforts be placed in the healthcare system readiness for public health crisis, the development of medical school curricular for public health and mass casualty planning, along with further mental health support. We encourage research on medical education that is focused on what has been found to be critically essential: training students in tele-medicine and virtual care.
Further research should be focused on the long-term effects of the pandemic on medical students, especially as they transition into residency. Research should also be conducted on training students in virtual care and preparedness for future public health crises.