‘I can't go, I can't afford it’: Financial concern amongst health students undertaking rural and remote placements during COVID‐19

Abstract

Introduction: As the coronavirus pandemic unfolded during 2020, widespread financial uncertainty emerged amongst university students across the globe. What is not yet clear is how Australian health students were financially impacted during the initial stages of the pandemic and whether this influenced their ability to undertake planned rural or remote placements. Objective: To examine (a) financial concern amongst health students during COVID-19, (b) the financial implications of changes to planned rural or remote placements and (c) the impact of these factors on students' ability to undertake placements during the pandemic. Design: Mixed-methods design involving an online survey (n = 1210) and semistructured interviews (n = 29). Nursing, medical and allied health students with a planned University Department of Rural Health-facilitated rural or remote placement between February and October 2020 were invited to participate.Findings: 54.6% of surveyed students reported financial concern during COVID-19. Financial concern correlated with both changes in financial position and employment, with 36.6% of students reporting a reduction in income and 43.1% of students reporting a reduction in, or cessation of regular employment.Placement changes yielded a range of financial implications. Cancelled placements saved some students travel and accommodation costs, but left others out of pocket if these expenses were prepaid. Placements that went ahead often incurred increased accommodation costs due to limited availability. Financial concern and/or financial implications of placement changes ultimately prevented some students from undertaking their rural or remote placement as planned. Discussion: Many nursing, allied health and medical students expressed financial concern during COVID-19, associated with a loss of regular employment and How to cite this article: Jessup B, Hoang H, Podubinski T, et al. 'I can't go, I can't afford it': Financial concern amongst health students undertaking rural and remote placements during

An exploration of mental health, stress and well‐being concerns among health students undertaking rural placements in Australia during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…[1][2][3] Unfortunately, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was a time of great uncertainty for students on a rural health placement, with many students experiencing disruptions to their placements and increased stressors, including less client contact, an inability to gain and practice clinical skills, difficulties attaining adequate supervision, financial stress and feelings of social isolation. [4][5][6][7][8] During this time, students voiced concern about these issues, 6 but also noted the positive impact of support strategies. 5 Little is known about how these factors might have influenced student mental health, stress and well-being while on a rural placement.…”

“…The available evidence suggests that immersive and positive training experiences in rural settings contribute to future rural practice 1–3 . Unfortunately, the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 was a time of great uncertainty for students on a rural health placement, with many students experiencing disruptions to their placements and increased stressors, including less client contact, an inability to gain and practice clinical skills, difficulties attaining adequate supervision, financial stress and feelings of social isolation 4–8 . During this time, students voiced concern about these issues, 6 but also noted the positive impact of support strategies 5 .…”

“…Placement demands have been cited as an additional stressor that impacts well‐being, 12 with high levels of anxiety and stress reported by health care students around placements 12 . Rural placements have the potential to further impact mental health by increasing financial stress and isolating students from their social support structures 8,13 . These issues likely intensified during the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”

“…12 Rural placements have the potential to further impact mental health by increasing financial stress and isolating students from their social support structures. 8,13 These issues likely intensified during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In one Australian study surveying 297 medical students, a pandemic-induced deterioration of mental health was identified in 68% of respondents.…”

Experiences Shared by the (Future) Public Health Workforce during the COVD-19 Pandemic in Germany: Results of a Survey on Workload, Work Content, and Related Challenges among Students and Young Professionals

“…In addition to general physical distancing measures and the closure of businesses, higher education mainly switched to distance learning only, demanding major restructuring of curricula and examinations. Furthermore, students enrolled in health-related higher education (such as epidemiologic students or public health degree students) were particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as their workforce was especially demanded during this crisis [ 12 , 13 ].…”