Impact of Coronavirus-2019 Pandemic on Medical Graduates Posted in Coronavirus-2019 Care Facility in India

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the professional impact of coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on medical graduates of India. Methods: An online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among final-year medical students and interns providing COVID-19 care during the pandemic. The psychological impact of the pandemic and its influence on career choices was assessed. Results: The response rate was 40.9% (676/1650). The majority (67.3%) of participants wished to continue in the medical field and 87% to join a clinical specialty postgraduation. The common factors for stress were due to changes in teaching pattern to virtual classes (66%) and risk of acquiring and transmitting infection to their family (50%). Positive coping ability was noted in 93%, with 62% willing to serve as front-line warriors. Conclusion: Final-year medical students and interns contributing to COVID-19 care had stress due to virtual teaching patterns and premature exposure to traumatic clinical scenarios. Good coping ability documented high resilience in the medical graduates.

Keywords

• coronavirus-2019
• medical student
• mental health
• specialty choice
• virtual education