Louis Nikolis1, Andrea Wakim1, William Adams2, Prempreet Bajaj DO3. 1. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South First Avenue, 60153, Maywood, Illinois, USA. 2. Departments of Medical Education and Public Health Sciences, Chicago Health Sciences Division, Loyola University, 2160 South First Avenue, 60153, Maywood, Illinois, USA. 3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, 60153, Maywood, Illinois, USA. pbajaj@lumc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As United States (US) medical students suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population, the wellness of medical students is particularly salient. One definition describes wellness as having eight dimensions: Intellectual, emotional, physical, social, occupational, financial, environmental, and spiritual. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses unique challenges for medical students, we aimed to compare medical student wellness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An informal survey was created to assess eight wellness dimensions and was distributed via Survey Monkey to US allopathic and osteopathic medical students via email and social media. The survey was administered from March 29, 2020 to June 23, 2020. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the change in students' overall wellness using an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (least well) to 10 (most well). Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the change in students' responses to the eight dimensions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: On multivariable analysis, students reported a decline in their overall wellness during COVID-19 (Mdiff = -1.08; p < .001). Asian respondents reported little change in overall wellness (M = -0.65) when compared to White respondents (M = -1.16) and Black respondents (M = -1.57). Students felt less supported and comfortable with their social (OR = 0.47) and daily (OR = 0.45) environments and expressed decreased satisfaction with their exercise (OR = 0.85), sense of purpose (OR = 0.33), and financial status (OR = 0.75). Students also expressed lower confidence (OR = 0.15) and satisfaction (OR = 0.11) with their medical education and increased anxiety (OR = 3.37) and depression (OR = 2.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medical students reported declines in overall wellness and individual wellness dimensions. These findings can be used to implement changes to improve medical student wellness.
BACKGROUND: As United States (US) medical students suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population, the wellness of medical students is particularly salient. One definition describes wellness as having eight dimensions: Intellectual, emotional, physical, social, occupational, financial, environmental, and spiritual. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses unique challenges for medical students, we aimed to compare medical student wellness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An informal survey was created to assess eight wellness dimensions and was distributed via Survey Monkey to US allopathic and osteopathic medical students via email and social media. The survey was administered from March 29, 2020 to June 23, 2020. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the change in students' overall wellness using an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (least well) to 10 (most well). Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the change in students' responses to the eight dimensions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: On multivariable analysis, students reported a decline in their overall wellness during COVID-19 (Mdiff = -1.08; p < .001). Asian respondents reported little change in overall wellness (M = -0.65) when compared to White respondents (M = -1.16) and Black respondents (M = -1.57). Students felt less supported and comfortable with their social (OR = 0.47) and daily (OR = 0.45) environments and expressed decreased satisfaction with their exercise (OR = 0.85), sense of purpose (OR = 0.33), and financial status (OR = 0.75). Students also expressed lower confidence (OR = 0.15) and satisfaction (OR = 0.11) with their medical education and increased anxiety (OR = 3.37) and depression (OR = 2.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medical students reported declines in overall wellness and individual wellness dimensions. These findings can be used to implement changes to improve medical student wellness.
Authors: Jaideep Chakladar; Anthony Diomino; Wei Tse Li; Joseph C Tsai; Aswini R Krishnan; Angela E Zou; Khush Kharidia; Farhan A Baig; Sarah Householder; Selena Z Kuo; Shyam Chandrasekar; Eric Y Chang; Weg M Ongkeko Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2022-03-05 Impact factor: 3.263