Affiliation:
1. École Supérieure de Soins Ambulanciers, College of Higher Education in Prehospital Care, CH-1231 Conches, Switzerland
2. Genève TEAM Ambulances, Emergency Medical Services, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions in Switzerland to move to distance learning, with certain limitations such as “Zoom fatigue” and a lack of interaction with peers and teachers. This has also impacted the development of interprofessional skills and key concepts such as professional acknowledgement, cooperation, and communication skills. This study was conducted using mixed methods, including performance assessment regarding examination notes, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews, to assess the impact of the pandemic on the performance of paramedic students and their psychological state. The results of the semi-structured interviews provided insight into the impact of the pandemic. The period of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had an impact on the psychological state of the paramedic students, most of whom were considered to be either at risk or in psychological distress. There may have been an effect on their theoretical knowledge performance, with pre-pandemic promotions performing better than pandemic promotions.
Funder
College of Higher Education in Prehospital Care of Geneva
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health