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Pandemic-Related Experiences and Psychosocial Risk Associations Among U.S. Medical Students

Authors

  • Nathaniel A. Jenkins B.S., Medical Student, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, United States
  • Damion J. Grasso Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.1146

Keywords:

COVID-19, Medical education, Professional burnout, Anxiety, Depression

Abstract

Background: Since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic there has been a profound impact on the psychosocial health of medical professionals, with heightened risk reported on measures of depression, anxiety, and stress relative to non-healthcare professionals. However, there is limited data on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychosocial health of U.S. undergraduate medical students. The current cross-sectional study aims to examine associations between pandemic-related experiences and psychosocial risk among a sample of medical students attending a Northeastern U.S. allopathic medical school.

Methods: One-hundred and seventy-nine students (42.6% of the study body) completed an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic that included sociodemographic characteristics, the 30-item Brief Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII-B), the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), the 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2), and the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5).

Results: Rates of serious adverse pandemic-related experiences (e.g., increased conflict, less physical activity, frequent substance use) were as high as 37.5%. Students with a greater number of adverse pandemic-related experiences reported more time with COVID-19 positive patients and were more likely to screen positive for depression, anxiety, and PTSD (rs from 0.25 – 0.34, all ps < 0.01).

Conclusion: These findings suggest the need for other U.S. medical schools to evaluate and address medical student mental health during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

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Published

2021-12-16

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How to Cite

Nathaniel A. Jenkins, & Damion J. Grasso. (2021). Pandemic-Related Experiences and Psychosocial Risk Associations Among U.S. Medical Students. International Journal of Medical Students, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.1146

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Original Article

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