Medical students in the Covid-19 pandemic: experiences through narratives

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (Sars-cov-2) has resulted in economic, social and mental health consequences for individuals with the establishment of social distancing. Consequently, medical schools suspended their activities, with the need to rethink the structure of academic education, affecting students in the fifth and sixth years with greater intensity. Objective: To understand the emotional, social and academic and professional training consequences of social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspective of the medical student in the last two years of medical school, after the interruption of in-person activities. Method: Study conducted at a medical school in the interior of São Paulo, with students from the last two years of the medical course. This is a qualitative field research, carried out through narratives with thematic content analysis, according to Bardin and Minayo. Results: Eleven narratives were analyzed, seven written by fifth-year students and four by sixth-year students. In them, fear of the pandemic and its consequences, disbelief with the country’s situation and criticism of the behavior of acquaintances were evident. In the academic setting, there was concern about the interruption of practical activities close to the end of the undergraduate course, thoughts about being a medical student on clinical clerkship during the pandemic, with a feeling of incapacity in helping to cope with the health crisis, as well as fear of getting infected or infecting family members. However, the need for rest, reinforcement of family bonds and opportunities for new learning were also reported. Conclusions: In short, the pandemic generated concerns about uncertainties in the social, economic, political and scientific fields, which, added to the moment of these medical students’ education, contributed to difficulties in relation to mental health. However, the period was also evaluated as a positive one, as it provided free time to increase study performance, in addition to the opportunity to carry out extracurricular activities.