Impact of COVID 19 on the Training of Clinical Students at MRRH, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Medical education has been uniquely affected by COVID-19 either directly or through attempts to counter the spread of COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the overall physical, mental, socioeconomic and spiritual health of the people. Objective To determine the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the training of clinical students at MRRH in Eastern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used and the target populations were clinical students attached at MRRH. Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit participants in this study. Written consent was sought from study participants before enrolling them into the study. Data collection was done using an electronically generated Google form questionnaire. A link to the form was shared with the respondents via identified social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, telegram and emails and later extracted as excel spreadsheet, cleaned and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Results The study revealed that a majority of participants were between 18–25 years old (72%) and predominantly female (40%). The most pursued course was "Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery" (36%), primarily in public institutions (93%). Financial challenges were prevalent, with 70% reporting insufficient financial aid during COVID-19. While 51% believed they could pay tuition fees when schools resumed normally, 44% were uncertain. Psychologically, 73% of participants reported anxiety, with factors like gender, employment status, and academic effect playing significant roles. Notably, unemployed participants exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of anxiety (AOR: 7.3, p = 0.000). Female students were more likely to experience severe and moderate anxiety than males (38% versus 28% and 43% versus 40%, respectively). Conclusion The findings underscore the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on clinical students' training, encompassing financial, academic, and psychological aspects. Tailored interventions and support strategies are imperative to address the challenges faced by these students in Eastern Uganda and enhance their overall well-being.