Do medical interns feel prepared to work in the COVID-19 pandemic?

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To learn about the perceptions of medical internship students about the early conclusion of the course and their preparation to act in the fight against COVID-19. METHODS An online questionnaire was applied with questions about the socioeconomic profile and the object of investigation. The data were analyzed using the Bioestat 5.0 software. RESULTS 111 students participated, most of whom (61.3%) were male, aged 20 to 25 years (80.2%), of Catholic religion (57.5%), and attending the 2nd year of internship (50.5%). A small portion (22.5%) reported being in total social isolation. The majority (57.5%) considered themselves unprepared to act in the fight against the pandemic, and 86.8% of the students believe that the early conclusion of the course will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 in the country. CONCLUSION This scenario points to the urgency of measures that provide, to recent graduates, timely technical preparation, safe work conditions, and emotional support even at the beginning of their professional career, leading them to competent, dignified and healthy work, during and after the pandemic.

RESUMO

RESUMO OBJETIVO Conhecer as percepções de estudantes do internato médico sobre formatura antecipada e preparo para trabalhar no combate à pandemia da Covid-19. MÉTODOS Aplicou-se questionário on-line com questões sobre o perfil socioeconômico e o objeto de investigação. Os dados foram analisados pelo software Bioestat 5.0. RESULTADOS Participaram 111 estudantes, a maioria (61,3%) do sexo masculino, na faixa etária de 20 a 25 anos (80,2%), de religião católica (57,5%) e cursando o 2o ano do internato (50,5%). Pequena parcela (22,5%) informou estar em isolamento social total. A maioria (57,5%) se sente despreparada para atuar no combate à pandemia, e 86,8% consideram que a formatura antecipada contribuirá para o enfrentamento da Covid-19 no País. CONCLUSÃO Este panorama remete à urgência de medidas que propiciem, aos recém-graduados, preparo técnico oportuno, condições de trabalho seguras e suporte emocional já neste início de carreira profissional, conduzindo-os ao trabalho competente, digno e saudável, durante e após a pandemia.