Effects of COVID-19 on career and specialty choices among Chinese medical students

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to medical education systems and medical students. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on medical career and specialty choices among medical students. An online cross-sectional survey of Chinese medical students was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from February to April 2020. The students’ willingness to be a doctor before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and changed willingness to specialize in respiratory medicine and infectious diseases were investigated. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression was used to explore factors that were associated with changes of willingness. A total of 1,837 medical students, including 1,227 females (66.8%), with a median age of 21.0 years, were recruited. Of the participants, 10.6% and 6.9% showed increased and decreased willingness to be a doctor after the COVID-19 outbreak, respectively. Moreover, 11.7% showed increased willingness and 9.5% showed decreased willingness to major in respiratory medicine and infectious diseases. Students with younger age, lower household income, fewer depressive symptoms, less exposure to negative pandemic information and more satisfaction with their own major after the pandemic were associated with increased willingness to be a doctor. Students who engaged in regular exercise, were males and undergraduate level, were interested in medicine, paid more attention to positive information, were satisfied with their majors, and had increased willingness to be a doctor after the pandemic were more likely to choose to specialize in respiratory medicine and infectious disease. However, the severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with decreased willingness to work in the specialties of respiratory medicine and infectious diseases. Psychological problems and professional satisfaction appear to be independent factors that affect medial career and specialty choices. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students require further research.

High prevalence and risk factors of dropout intention among Chinese medical postgraduates

“…To date, only a small number of published studies have focused on the risk of dropout in Chinese medical students. A cross-sectional study found that 6.9% of the 1,837 medical students reported decreased willingness to become a doctor after the outbreak of COVID-19, which was strongly associated with depressive symptoms, low professional satisfaction, young age, being female, low income, and negative news about the pandemic [ 35 ]. Another cross-sectional study revealed that nearly 60% of 2,922 medical undergraduates expressed turnover intention, which was attributed to the declining reputation of doctors, low social support, and low resilience [ 36 ].…”

Depression Among Medical Students in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The role of Communication Between Universities and Their Students

“…The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education globally, contributing to poor mental health among medical students. [1][2][3][4][5] The disruptions affected classes and clinical rotations, as medical students were not allowed clinical contact with patients. 5,6 Medical schools in the US transitioned to online curriculum during March and April of 2020 to decrease potential exposure to the SARS CoV-2 virus.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on career intention amongst undergraduate medical students: a single-centre cross-sectional study conducted in Hubei Province

“…In addition, “regard healthcare as a dangerous job” and “have relatives with medical background” were the influence factors for changing career intention. Other studies have shown that medical students perceived fear [ 21 ] and negative feedback from families and friends concerning frontline work [ 22 ], and these were risk factors for changes in career intention. Thus, psychological counselling is vital for UM students.…”