Frontiers in Psychology (Nov 2021)

After the Pandemic: The Future of Italian Medicine. The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Medical and Other Healthcare-Related Degrees Students

  • Giacomo De Micheli,
  • Laura Vergani,
  • Laura Vergani,
  • Davide Mazzoni,
  • Giulia Marton,
  • Giulia Marton

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648419
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Objective: The study aimed to explore the psychological symptoms and the readiness to fight the pandemic of the new generation of healthcare professionals: medical and other healthcare degree students.Methods: We enrolled 509 medical and healthcare-related degree students during the second outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy. We have examined their psychological symptoms using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and their readiness to fight the pandemic together with their academic career status, their relationship with the university, and their emotional reactions to the pandemic with Visual Analog Scales.Results: We retrieved a GHQ mean of 21.65 (SD = 40.63) and readiness to fight the pandemic mean of 53.58 (SD = 31.49). Perceived control affects variables: a negative effect on psychological symptoms and a positive effect on the willingness to fight the pandemic. The other variables with an impact were stress, loneliness, and anger that had a significant and positive impact on psychological symptoms. Age and concern for patients had a significant positive impact on readiness to fight for the pandemic, while years of attendance had a significant but negative impact.Conclusion: Universities and Institutions should consider the impact of the pandemic on students, in particular, for its effect on their mental health.

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