Learning on Lockdown: A Study on Medical Student Wellness, Coping Mechanisms and Motivation during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: MedEdPublish (2016) Vol. 10; p. 50
• Main Authors: Deshetler, Lori, Gangadhar, Megha, Battepati, Dhanushya, Koffman, Erin, Mukherjee, Ram Kishore, Menon, Bindu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland 2021
• Subjects: COVID-19; medical education; medical student wellness; pandemic
• ISSN: 2312-7996

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. The COVID-19 pandemic forced drastic changes to the educational settings and living conditions of medical students nationwide. Due to the sudden onset of remote learning, drastic educational changes likely induced fear and anxiety among students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess medical students' academic and personal wellbeing, coping mechanisms, and motivation during the Stay at Home order through a survey-based study. The researchers obtained Institutional Review Board approval, and the study was classified as exempt category 2. In total, 705 medical students representing all four years were recruited from the researchers' institution. The survey was administered through an anonymous link in Qualtrics to the medical student listserv, and responses were collected over a two-week period. The instrument was comprised of four demographic questions, twenty-two closed-ended questions, and four open-ended questions. A total of 188 medical students completed the survey for a response rate of 26.7%. Due to a very low response rate (n=3, 1.6%) from fourth-year students, quantitative data from this group were excluded. Quantitative analysis of the survey results showed that most respondents experienced nervousness and stress at some point during the pandemic. While most claimed to have successfully overcome challenges and achieved their goals, only about half of the participants admitted to being able to handle their personal problems, and nearly 70% of the respondents expressed difficulty focusing while studying. The qualitative data suggest that changes in study environment, long-term home confinement, and isolation were the most challenging aspects for participants. Overall, this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic induced stress and anxiety among students; nevertheless, most were able to employ effective coping strategies, pursue mental wellness assistance, achieve goals, and maintain motivation during the pandemic.