Covid-19: Impacts on Medical Students' Mental Health in Medical Education Center of Chaophya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background. Thailand has experienced a repeated pandemic of COVID-19, which placed overwhelming demands on health care services. Medical students are affected by the pandemics of COVID-19, and adjustments are needed to produce medical providers for health care services as planned. Medical students have experienced consequences, especially on their mental health, due to a fear of COVID-19 infection adjustments to new learning styles. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in our hospital. We used an online platform to assess knowledge, sources of information and evaluate anxiety levels using the generalized anxiety disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale. Results. Thirty-seven patients (20 women (54.1%), mean age 22.9 years) were included. The majority of students demonstrated average levels of knowledge and utilized reliable sources of information. 51.35% of students reported anxiety levels ranging from mild to severe, with sixth-year medical students whom on-site study reporting higher anxiety than the fourth and fifth-year medical students whom hybrid study (online and On-site study) (OR=5.9, P=0.02). Conclusion. This study provides essential information in our hospital on the initial response and anxiety levels in medical students during a clinical rotation in the COVID-19 pandemic. In the COVID-19 pandemic or any other public health emergencies, we need to provide clinical knowledge support and psychological support for our medical students. Essential knowledge and prompt screening and response for anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic are necessary for the medical student.