Ioannis Georgiou1, Adam Hounat, Jay J Park, Conor Gillespie, Soham Bandyopadhyay, Kate E A Saunders. 1. University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen (Mr Georgiou); School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee (Mr Hounat); Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh (Mr Park), Scotland; School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool (Mr Gillespie); Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (Dr Bandyopadhyay); Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital (Dr Saunders), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Medical students across the United Kingdom helped the National Health Service (NHS) with the increased workload caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to better understand the implications of COVID-19 on the intricate relationship between the psychological wellbeing of students and working within the NHS. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, national UK study analyzing the self-reported pandemic anxiety scale (PAS) of participants during the pandemic, using an online questionnaire. RESULTS: 25.2% of participants worked within the NHS. Working significantly reduced anxiety levels of participants. Concerns around the training and information provided on personal protective equipment (PPE) (odds ratio [OR] 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] OR: 1.93, 3.43) (P < 0.001) and Ethnicity (OR 2.15, 95% CI OR: 1.54, 2.99) (P < 0.001) were the most significant covariates affecting the likelihood of working. CONCLUSION: Working during the pandemic was influenced by age, ethnicity, and information surrounding PPE. On average those who worked experienced less anxiety and were more cheerful and energetic.
PURPOSE: Medical students across the United Kingdom helped the National Health Service (NHS) with the increased workload caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to better understand the implications of COVID-19 on the intricate relationship between the psychological wellbeing of students and working within the NHS. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, national UK study analyzing the self-reported pandemic anxiety scale (PAS) of participants during the pandemic, using an online questionnaire. RESULTS: 25.2% of participants worked within the NHS. Working significantly reduced anxiety levels of participants. Concerns around the training and information provided on personal protective equipment (PPE) (odds ratio [OR] 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] OR: 1.93, 3.43) (P < 0.001) and Ethnicity (OR 2.15, 95% CI OR: 1.54, 2.99) (P < 0.001) were the most significant covariates affecting the likelihood of working. CONCLUSION: Working during the pandemic was influenced by age, ethnicity, and information surrounding PPE. On average those who worked experienced less anxiety and were more cheerful and energetic.
Authors: George E Richardson; Conor S Gillespie; Orla Mantle; Abigail Clynch; Setthasorn Zhi Yang Ooi; Jay J Park; Emily R Bligh; Shantanu Kundu; Ioannis Georgiou; Soham Bandyopadhyay; Kate E Saunders Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-05-06 Impact factor: 3.006