Qualitative study to explore UK medical students’ and junior doctors’ experiences of occupational stress and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Tawse, James; Demou, Evangelia

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065639

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Several international studies have shown how the mental health of health science students worsened during the pandemic, with varying degrees of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress (9,10,19,20,21) . In line with our results, another study found that the stress level of female students was higher than that of male students (20) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrés y ansiedad en estudiantes de enfermería durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19

Robledo Martín,

Acea López,

Alcolea Cosín

et al. 2024

Arch Prev Riesgos Labor

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Objective: To compare anxiety and acute stress levels among nursing students who joined the labour market during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and those who did not. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentre descriptive study across three Spanish public universities. A total of 216 nursing students participated in our study. Data collection was carried through an online questionnaire, that included variables on conditions for entering the labour market, the Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale and the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Overall, 42.6% (n=92) of the students entered the labour market during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global anxiety score was x?=36.31 (SD=5.71) and the stress score was x?=82.39 (SD=30.84). Lower anxiety levels were observed among those who joined the labour market (x?=35.67; SD=5.78) as compared to those who did not (x?=36.73; SD=5.67). Overall 92.4% of the students were acutely stressed. Acute stress was higher among those who did not work (x?=84.35; SD=32.38) and significantly in women. Conclusions: Nursing students were able to cope with stress in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A healthy worker effect could not be ruled out. Stress and anxiety among nursing students should be considered by clinical practice preceptors and at the time students first enter the labour market.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrés y ansiedad en estudiantes de enfermería durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19

Robledo Martín,

Acea López,

Alcolea Cosín

et al. 2024

Arch Prev Riesgos Labor

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“…Similar concerns have been reported in qualitative studies, particularly those students who were allowed to graduate early to help with the response to the pandemic. Studies in both the UK and the USA have found that because of the reduction in opportunities for learning, medical students felt insufficiently prepared for clinical practice, leaving students fearful that they were inadequately trained for their future careers 39 40. These findings suggest that these students would benefit from additional learning opportunities and support to increase their confidence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

UK medical students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

et al. 2023

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ObjectivesTo understand the impact of COVID-19 on medical students with mental health problems.DesignQualitative study employing in-depth semistructured interviews with medical students which were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Setting and participantsA purposive sample of 20 students originating from 8 geographically spread UK medical schools were selected, representing various mental health issues and demographic characteristics.ResultsThree themes were identified: (1) medical schools’ response to the pandemic—schools increased awareness-raising of mental health support and increased flexibility in regards to academic requirements; (2) disruption to the medical degree—COVID-19 brought change and uncertainty to medical education and missed learning opportunities reduced students’ confidence and (3) psychological consequences of the pandemic—COVID-19 had a negative impact on mental health, most notably raising stress and anxiety but also triggering new or existing conditions.ConclusionsWhile there were many negative aspects of the pandemic for medical students experiencing mental ill health, there were also positives. Students felt that the increased focus on mental health support during the pandemic had reduced stigma towards mental health. Given stigma has been identified as a key barrier for help-seeking in medical students, future research should investigate the longer-term impacts of the pandemic and whether medical students are more likely to seek help for mental health difficulties postpandemic.

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“…Open access issues that both skilled healthcare professionals and young doctors experienced. [7][8][9][10] Due to previous observations and hard work on the frontline, during the second wave of the pandemic, the PC unit of Ravenna (Italy) offered a service of consultations (involving mainly PC specialists but also geriatricians and respiratory specialists) to support young doctors operating within SUCCs. Consultations entailed an online debriefing session for case discussion (weekly) and phone calls in case of need on working days.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This added to occupational and moral distress, depression and anxiety, and mental health issues that both skilled healthcare professionals and young doctors experienced. 7–10 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These competencies are frequently neglected in the academic and training curricula,5 6 although medical students and junior doctors consider them essential in caring for dying patients. This added to occupational and moral distress, depression and anxiety, and mental health issues that both skilled healthcare professionals and young doctors experienced 7–10…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Now I can train myself to be with death’: a phenomenological study with young doctors in care homes supported by a palliative care unit during the second wave of the pandemic in Italy

et al. 2023

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ObjectiveDuring the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the organisational strategies established by the Italian National Health System was the special units for continuity of care (SUCCs). In the province of Ravenna, those units enrolled novice doctors to care for elderly patients with COVID-19 in care homes (CHs). The local palliative care (PC) unit decided to offer consultations and support to them. This study aimed to comprehend the experience of young doctors who asked for consultations when facing, during their first early years of practice, complex situations.DesignWe conducted a qualitative study employing a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews.ParticipantsWe involved 10 young doctors who worked in Italian SUCC during the pandemic and used a PC consultation support service.ResultsWhat describes our participants’ experience is related to four main themes: (1) reducing distances, (2) perceiving medical futility and improvising, (3) being supported to learn how to be with death and (4) narrowed timing to humanise care. The pandemic was, for our participants, a moment of reflection and critique on the skills acquired during the university course. It was a strong experience of human and professional growth that helped them reshape and deepen their role and skills, incorporating the approach of PC into their professional identity.ConclusionsIntegration between specialists and young doctors with an early entry into the workforce during the pandemic in CHs set out a ‘shift’ to a proactive and creative approach through a new awareness of professional and personal roles in doctor–patient relations. The continuity of care models should be rethought by integrating CHs and PC. Adequate PC training for young doctors (at pregraduate and postgraduate levels) can change doctors’ vision and daily practice in assisting patients at the end of life.

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Qualitative study to explore UK medical students’ and junior doctors’ experiences of occupational stress and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 6 publications

References 64 publications

Estrés y ansiedad en estudiantes de enfermería durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19

Estrés y ansiedad en estudiantes de enfermería durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19

UK medical students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

‘Now I can train myself to be with death’: a phenomenological study with young doctors in care homes supported by a palliative care unit during the second wave of the pandemic in Italy

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