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Assessing the Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 in Undergraduate Medical Students

Author

Listed:
  • Alyssa A. Guo

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC 29605, USA)

  • Marissa A. Crum

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC 29605, USA)

  • Lauren A. Fowler

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC 29605, USA)

Abstract

Medical education has been uniquely affected by the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the pandemic’s psychological impacts on medical students remain unclear, this study assessed COVID-19’s impacts on undergraduate medical students’ stress and anxiety. A nationwide, online survey was administered via email chains between June-August 2020 to first-fourth year medical students in the United States. Demographics, 4-point Perceived Stress Scale that measures stress, 7-point Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale that measures anxiety, and the impacts of social, health, and academic stressors due to COVID-19 were collected. Of the 852 students who participated, 66.1% experienced mild, moderate, or severe anxiety. Mean PSS-4 score was 7.25/16. Stress was highest in second- through fourth-year students. Students with preexisting mental health conditions had significantly higher stress and anxiety scores, and higher percentage of stress attributed to COVID-19. Trust in government institutions during COVID-19 was the highest stressor in first- and second-year students. Delay/availability of standardized exams was the highest stressor for third-year students. Impact on rotations/residencies was the highest stressor for fourth-year students. Understanding how students’ anxiety and stress have changed due to COVID-19 will allow educators to identify students in need and guide recommendations on the implementation of psychological interventions and support strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Alyssa A. Guo & Marissa A. Crum & Lauren A. Fowler, 2021. "Assessing the Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 in Undergraduate Medical Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2952-:d:516504
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    Cited by:

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    2. Azizah Alyoubi & Elizabeth J. Halstead & Zoe Zambelli & Dagmara Dimitriou, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Mental Health and Sleep in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-16, September.
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    4. Esperanza L. Gómez-Durán & Carles Martin Fumadó & Aina M. Gassó & Sandra Díaz & Andrea Miranda-Mendizabal & Carlos G. Forero & Montserrat Virumbrales, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological Impact and Volunteering Experience Perceptions of Medical Students after 2 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.

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